The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-13
PARLIAMENT IS
OPENED BY KING
Speaks of Solution of Differ
enCeS Between Houses
OUR HELP AT KINGSTON
is Recognized With Sincere Gratitude.
Applauded BY Commons-lntroduc-
ton of Home Rule In Ire
land Is ForeshadoWed.

ton of Home Rule In Ire
land Is ForeshadoWed.
London February 12.-The second ses-
sion Of the second parliament Of the pres
ent reign, which promises TO be full of
interest and Importance as a consequence
of the projected liberal attack on the
House of Lords and the introduction of
an installment of home rules for Ireland,
was opened by King Edward this after
noon with all the imposing ceremonies
which has attended these functions since
his accession. The speech from the throne
foreshadowed a full and busy session de-
voted to ireland, army reform and tenn
peranee
Apart from the overshadowing ques-
ton of the House OF Lords. After the
usual reference of the good relations pre-
vailing between Great Britain and the
other powers. the speech deplored the loss
of life and the destruction of property
resulting from the earthquake at King
stone.
Il have seen with satisfaction said
the King, that the emergency has been
met by the governor and his officers
with courage and devotion and by the
people with self-eontrol The occasion
has called forth many proofs of prac-
teal good will from all parts from my
country and | recognize with sincere
gratitude the sympathy shown by the peo
pie of the United States and the assls-
lance promptly offered by their authori-
ties
A congratulatory reference to the visit
of the India Ameer of Aghanistan was
followed by the intimation that while
guarding the unity of the executive power
unimpaired" some change in the govern
mental methods of India were under con-
sideration bringing them more in accor
dance with the wishes of the natives.
Then came guarded QUESTION in the up
per minds of his maiesty's hearing. It
was addressed both to My Lords" and
"the Gentlemen of the House of Com
mons"
Parliamentary System.
SERIOUS questions said the King, "af-
fecting the working of our parliamentary
system have arisen from the unfortunate
differences between the two houses. Ny
ministers have this important subject
under consideration with a view of tie
solution of the difficulty"
The rest of the speech was devoted to
the proposed licensing bill, the object of
which is to diminish the drink evils, pro-
posals for the improvement of the army
organization and Irish local government
and educational questions and a number
of minor questions including the estab-
lishment of a caurt of criminal appeal
On the Irish question the King said:
Your attention will be called to meas
ures for further associating the people
of Ireland with the management of their
domestic affairs and otherwise improving
their system of government. in its adj
| ministratve and financial aspects. Pro-
posals will also be submitted to you for
effecting a reform of university educa-
ton in Ireland by which | trust that
the difficulties which have so long re-
tarded higher education in that country
may be removed"
Among the domestic legislation fore
! Swallowed in the speech from the throne
was a bill enabling women to serve on
local bodies" evidently intended as a sop
to the women sufragists.
The point in the Kings speech which
attracted the most attention were the ref
erences to the Kingston disaster and the
House of Lords. When his majesty spoke
gratefully of the assistance rendered by
| the American navy to the earthquake
sufferers he turned In the direction of
the diplomatic body and bowed to Am
/ bassador Reid, who was distinguished
among his uniformed colleagues by his
| evening dress.
When the differences between the Lords
and the Commons were mentioned there
was perceptble commotion among the
audience which was all the more notice
| able because 1t is unusual for any phrase
| in a speech from the throne to cause any,
| thing in the way of a sensation among
| those who heard it read.
House of Commons.
The House of Commons was crowded
| in all parts when the members assem-
| bled for business at o'clock this after
noon. The entry of the premier, Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman was greeted with
| cheers from the ministerialists
| The speaker James Lowther, read the
| speech from the throne The reference to
| aid rendered by the American navy at
Kingston was greeted with a loud out
burst of applause.
The mention Of the differences between
the House of Commons and the House
! of Lords also was cheered on the resump-
ton of the sitting of the House of Lords
Lord Castletown. liberal. moved the ad-
dress in reply to the Kings speech and
in so doing praised the assistance rem
dered by the American navy to the suf-
ferers of the earthquake at Kingston. He
also declared 1t was necessary to change
the machinery of the House of Lords
which at present gave the house pre-
ponderance of Tories.
Regarding Ireland Lord Castletown de-
clared that what was proposed was evo-
luton rather than revolution. After a
hundred years of union it was proposed
to adopt administrative reforms, long
overdue, rescue the Irish system from
Chaos Ireland's appeal for financial jus
tice had failed but separation was un-
thinkable and impossible.
Lord Lansdowne. liberal unionst. said
the opposition was left in entire ignorance
as to the direction in which a solution for
the present relations between the House
of Lords and the House of Commons was
to be sought. Did the government want TO
make the upper house stronger and more
efficient. or to degrade it to a mere de-
batting s0cietx7 1t was deeply rooted in