Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-20
BRITISH PARLIAMENT
CONTINUED from Page One.)

ceedings in the House Of Lords fol-
lowed the well-known lines of those OF
previous years. The troop-lined route
followed by the royal progress was we'll
occupied by cheering crowds.
| Within the "Gilded chamber" a bril-
liant scene met the Kings face as he
entered from the robing rooom attend
| ed by all the high officers Of state bear
ing the various insignia of the mon-
archy. The hall was crowded to its ca
pacity. For the first time since early
Ia the reign Of the late Queen Victoria
only single chair occupied the dias In
| consequence of the absence from Eng
| land Of Queen Alexandra. The King In
his roDcs having seated himself on the
| throne commanded the presence Of the
Commons to hear his speech. AS soon
| as the Speaker and the Commons ar
rived the King took the document con-
| tanning the text of his speech from the
kneeling lord chancellor and read IL.
The speech contained no surprises.
| The usual reference to the continuance
| of friendly relations with foreign pow
ers was followed by a paragraph re-
| joicing over the fact that the Russo
| japanese war his been brought to
an end by the satisfactory conclusion
| of the negotiations commenced in Au-
gust and due to the initiative of the
President of the United Staes which
| had resulted in an honorable peace"
| Referring to the Moroccan confer
ence the King remarked:
1T is earnestly to be hoped that the
| result of these negotiations may be
conducive to the maintenance OF peace
| among all nations"
A colOrlcss mention was made of the
Anglo-Japancse treaty, the dissolution
| of the union of Norway and Sweden
and the condition of Macedonia which
| has continued to give anxiety"
The speech announced that the ideas
of an intermediate stage for a repre-
sentative government of the Transraal
| had been abandoned ana that a new
| constitution would be drawn up as ex-
peditiously as possible adding that UNI
| til the Transvaal Assembly meets the
| Importation of Chinese will be suS-
pended.
After announcing the p0stpOnement
of the proposed colonial conference
until early in 1907. the King congratu-
| lated the Commons on the steady IN
| ing that the industries generally were
| III a sound and progressive condition,
bat Immediately afterwards the King
| invited the earnest attention Of the
Legislatures to the additions made in
| recent years to the national expendi-
ture and capital liabilities Of the
state"
The speech closed with a mention of
prospective legislation. An important
paragraph devoted to Ireland was as
follows:
"My ministers have under considera-
ton a plan for improving and effecting
| economies in the system of government
for Ireland and for introducing there
into means for associating the people
with the conduct of Irish affairs. 1t is
my desire that the government Of the
country in reliance upon the ordinary
law should be carried on so far as ex-
listing circumstances permit in a spirit
regardtul of the wishes and sentiments
of the Irish people and 1 trust this
may be conducive to the maintenance
OF tranquility and good feeling between
the different classes of the commune
ty."
The other legislation forecasted in
the speech included bills to amend the
education act. dealing with trade dis
putes, the law regarding colonial mar
riage and the prevention of plural vot
ing .it Parliamentary elections.
Immediately after reading the speech
the King retired, put off his robes of
state, the procession was reformed
and His Majesty returned to Bucking-
ham Palace.
1t was noticeable that the King is
still suffering from the injured knee
sustained while out shooting Nov. 16
last. He walked haltingly, aided by n
stick. His speech was clearly audible
everywhere in the hall despite occa-
sional Lusk!ness.
Ambassador Reid and Mrs. Reid were
among those present at the ceremony.
The House OF Commons was crowd
ed when the business Of the session be-
gan. The Kings speech having been
formally read by Speaker Lowther, w.
II. Dickinson, Liberal, moved the adj
dress in a brief speech and E. D. Ac-
land, Liberal. seconded 1t.
Joseph chamberlain, rising from the
front Opposition benches, said he was
speaking at the request Of Former Pre-
micT Daltoar. who WIS temporarily alb
sent Mr.. Chamberlain added that he
fel: sure the premier. Sir Henry Camp
bell bannerm3n, on personal grounds,
would welcome back the man who for
a longer period than any other during
the last century had led the delibera-
tons of the House.
Mr. Chamberlain then paid a tribute
to Mr.. Acland's speech, and turning i'm
mediately to the fiscal question. he said
the government should remember that
it's majority in the House of Commons
was much greater in proportion than
its majority in the country. In fact the
opposition had nearly half the country
behind them.
Continuing, Mr.. Chamberlain said he
was pleased to learn that there would
be d continuity of Great Britain's
foreign policy and asked II the govern
rnent could give the House any inform
alton in regard to the Algeciras con-
ference. He hoped Great Britain would
be able to promote the interests OF
France because It would be in accord.
ancn with Ia Wiahnc ~ Tho ~,,Lop.