Semi-weekly herald., 1917-02-08
Ming George Opens
faglish Parliament
Continued from Page -

tSOhsAAA~A AkOln AXE j
had failed to disclose Che presence Of
any lurking assassins, gunpowder,
German sypies. high explosive bombs
suffragettes or poison-gas tanks and
this information had been ceremon-
iously conveyed to Buckingham pal
ace. did King George and the Queen
prepare 10, their journey to the
:Iouse of Parliament.
Some precedents have been merely
modified by the war. For example,
the king, instead Of wearing his 0or-
geous field marshalPs dress uniform
appeared in khaki. Also the process
sion from Buckingham to Westmins-
ter was considerably slmplified.
Their maiesties rode in the usual
state coach, but it was drawn by six
black horses instead of the eight
cream-colored Hanovarians formerly
used on such occasions. There wasn't
the customarily large outturning of
the populace along the route.
Arriving at the entrance to the
House of Lords, the king and queen
were greeted by the officers of state
and conducted to the robinx room,
whence after donning their royal
robes they proceeded to the thrones
escorted by the usual heralds, trum-
peters and court officials carrying
their regalia.
he floor of the chamber was pack
ed with members of the nobility,
while in the gallery were peereses,
society leaders, representatives of
the diplomatic corps and other dis
tinguished spectators.
The Gentleman Usher of the Black
Rod was despatched to summon the
faithful commons" Of the latter,
only about sixty were able to squeeze
in and crowd around the bar of the
house.
conspicuous figure in black robe
gold chain and full bottomed wig,
the new Lord Chancellor then ad-
vanced to the steps of the thrones
and kneeling presented to his Maj
esty the parchment roll whereon a
speech carefully prepared for him
by Lloyd George and his fellow cab
ineteers, but by pleasing fiction
known as the Kings speech, was in
scribed. King George read the ad-
dress in clear, firm tones.
There was no possible basis for
peace contained in Germany's recent
proffer.' King George declared in
his throne speech in the house of
Lords, marking the opening of par
lament
my people thruout the empire
and our heroic allies steadfastly and
unanimously resolved to secure Just
reparation and restitution for the
past and guarantees for the future
which we regard essential to pro
gress and civilization" declared the
nih6' hC ttiItdNS VI out
RACES only steel our determination.
One of the biggest pieces of leg
islation to oe tackled by this session
will be the General Election bill, up
on which special Speakers COM
nittee is now sitting. Under an an
cient statute no Parliament can live
longer than seven years, SO unless
this is modified, general election
must be held next fall. There is
considerable agitation in this con-
nection with reference to soldiers
voting in the election. The military
authorities object largely on account
of the bother it will entail, and par
TALLY because it will necessarily dis
tract the troops from what is con
sidered more important business.
1t is possible, as a solution, that
another venerable precedent may be
shattered by allowing the present
parliament to continue for the per
iod of the war.