Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-02-21
Measures to be introduced to
Give Commons Undivided Au-
thority Over Finance.
BE DONE SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Relations Between tho Two Houses of
Parliament Are to be Clearly
Defined.

opened formally this afternoon by
King Edward. who was accompanied
by Queen Alexandra and is now fully
organized and ready for the work OF
The session.
The state opening was marked by all
the pomp and pageantry associated
with these ceremonies. Troops lined
The streets from Buckingham palace
TO the palace at Westminster and
drew the usual crowds.
THE ONE GREAT THOUGHT
Uppermost in the minds of thou
eands who witnessed the spectacle in
the streets and among the occupants
OF the red-clothed benches in tho
gilded chamber was the thought of
the forthcoming fight which threatens
the very existence OF the hereditary
house OF peers and the conjecture
whether they were spectators of acts
preluding historic changes In centuries
old institutions of Great Britain.
The ceremony did not differ out
wardly from scores of previous state
of progress except In the presence
close to the throne of Prince and
f1tiliN vi lHt ici-
mer wore the uniform of an officer of
the British navy. of which ne was re-
Gently appointed admiral of the fleet.
Every corner of the chamber was
filled and the varied colorlngs of the
peers. bishops and judges robes, the
court diplomatic. naval and military
uniforms with the beautiful gowns of
richly dressed women made scene
OF brilllancy.
POWER OF THE COMMONS.
King Edward in n momentous
speech from the throne. said;
Recent experience has disclosed Sc
rous difficulties due to recurring diff
ferences of strong opinion between the
two branches OF the legislature. Pro-
posals will be laid before you with all
convenient speed, to define the rela-
tions between the houses of parlia-
ment so as to secure the undivided
authority of the house OF commons
over finance and its predominence In
legislation.
These measures. in the opinion OF
my advisers. should provide that this
house should be so constituted and
empowered as to exercise impartially
jn regard to proposed legislation, the
functions of Initiation. revision, and
subject to proper safeguards, OF de-
lay"
The kings speech which had been
awaited with such interest. made plain
that the work of the session would be
confined to the matter of finance ard
the question OF the house of lords.
The king opened with the usual ref
crences to the friendly relations exist
ing with foreign powers and dealt at
length with The establishment of the
union OF South Africa and the ap-
preaching visit OF the Prince Of Wales
to open the nrst legislature OF the
United Dominion Of South Africa.
FINANCIAL ESTIMATES.
The financial estimates for the COM
Ing year were next set forth,
"Thcse," said the king, have been
framed With the utmost desire for econ
ony but the requirements for the naval
defense OF the empire made it neces-
sary 20 propose substantial increase
in the cost of the navy"
Recording the fact that the expendi-
lures used by the last parliament were
being Incurred and met by recourse
10 temnorary borrowing. the speech
declared:
Arrangements must be made at the
earliest possible moment to deal with
the financial situation thus created"
This was taken as confirmation of
Premier Asqu;th's avowed determine
tioh W lSkulaIlIe tHe present conduct
Of financial affairs before attacking
the house of lords. The most impor-
tant pronounccment was reserved for
the end OF the speech which closed
with the paragCph upon the relations
between the two houses a given above.
The reading of the speech occupied
only four minutes. and at it's close the
session was suspended for two hours.
The paragraph OF the speech refer
ring to the house OF lords is admitted
10 have been obscurely worde6 and par
lamentarians are awaiting with great
interest Premier Asquith's interpre-
tation.
THE KINGS SAFEGUARD.
The rather modern expression lin the
opinion OF my advisers" which the king
seemed to emphasize especially is a
novelty in a speech from the throne
and 1t is believed the king himself was
responsible for the insertion of the
phrase with the palpable objection Of
disassociasing himself from tie views
expressed on behalf OF the govern
ment This deduction has added
piauancy to the situation.
The chamber Of the house of com
mons MAS crowded 20 its capacity when
the house met for business at O'clock
In 10 that moment no one could pre-
dict with any confidence the course of
events and even as Premier Asqulth
led the composite force into action IL
appeared uncertain whether the guns
OF his army were lcvelled against the
common enemy or in the direction of
the general himself