Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-12
HOUSE Of LORDS
AND THE COMMONS
Speech From the Throne Says
Kings Ministers Have Matter
Under Consideration.
HOPE TO SOLVE DIFFICULTY.
Measures to he Introduced Giving Peo-
pie of Ireland Greater Power
Over Domestic Affairs.

London, Feb 12-The second session
of the second parliament of the present
reign. which promises to be fun of in
terest and Importance as a consequence
of the projected Liberal attack upon
the house OF lords and the introduction
of an installment of home rule for Ire
land, was opened by King Edward this
afternoon with all the imposing cere-
monies which has attended these func-
tons since his accession.
The speech from the throne fore
Swallowed full and busy session de-
voted to ireland, army reform and tenn
perance, apart from the overshadowing
question of the house of lords.
After the usual reference to the good
relationship prevailing between Great
Britain and the other powers, the
speech deplored the loss of life and de-
struction of property resulting from tn
earthquake at Kingston.
u 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-control. The occasion
has called forth many proofs of practic'
a good VIII from all parts of my coun-
try, and / recognize with sincere graft
tude the sympathy shown by the people
of the United States and the assistance
promptly offered by their authorities"
a conSratulatory reference to the
visit 10 India Of the Ameer of Afghan-
istan was followed by the intimation
that while guarding the unity of the
executive power unimpaired." some
changes in the governmental methods
of india were under consideration,
bringing them more in accord with
the wishes of the natives.
Then came n guarded reference to
the question uppermost in the minds
Of his ma1esty's hearers. 1t was adj
dressed both to my lords" and "the
gentlemen of the house of Commons
Serious questions" said the king.
affecting the working of our parlia-
mentary system have arisen from the
unfortunate differences between the
houses. My ministers have this i'm
portant subject under consideration
with the view of solution of the Diff
ficulty."
The rest of the speech was de7oted
to the proposed licensing bill. the OBJ
Ject of which is to diminish the drink
evils; proposals for the Improvement
of the army organization and irish
local government and education ques-
tons. including the establishment of
a court of criminal appeal.
Upon the Irish question the king
said:
your attention win be called to
measures for further associating the
people OF Ireland with the manage
ment of their domestic affairs and
otherwise improving their system of
government in its administrative and
financial aspects. Proposals will also
be submitted to YOU for effecting re-
form of university education in Ire
land"
Among the domestic legislation fore
Swallowed was "a bill enabling women
to serve on local bodies" evidently in
tending as sop to the women suffrag-
lists.
The house of commons assembled
briefly and then adjourned until p. M,
when the debate on the address in re-
ply TO the speech will commence.
That the members of the house of
commons regard the political situation
as being especially interesting was evil
denced by the keenness shown to, secure
good seats for the opening OF parlia-
ment today, On the stroke of midnight
the competition began and thereafter
steady stream OF members visited the
house and placed their cards In the
places they had selected. Later in the
morning the customary search of the
vaults of the houses OF parliament was
carried out by the yoemen OF the guard
from the tower of London without the
discovery of anything pointing TO
repetition of the 'gunpowder plot"
Large crowds gathered within the pre-
clncts of parliament TO witness the ar
rival OF the distinguished personages.