Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-02-11
OPTIMISTIC NOTE IN
 ADDRESS OF GEORGE FIFTH TO LEGISLATORS
Parliament Opens in England With Pre-War Cere-
 monies

country was urged in the house O commons today by King George 1T his speech from the throne, whicl opened the session of parliament. Ht counselled patience in the passage oi far reaching reforms, which, he said were necessary to meet abnormal conditions.
 He urged better educational facili ties, settlement of the Irish question adjustment of coal mining controver- sies on an enduring basis, regulation of the liquor traffic and measures stimulating the growth of more food stuffs at home. He said bills would be introduced in parliament dealing with insurance against unemploy- ment, regulation of working hours. minimum wages and anti-dumping
 After briefly referring to the peace conference, the king said he intended shortly to ratify peace with Bulgaria and Austria. The negotiations for peace with Turkey, he added, were "being pressed forward with all pos sible speed" Referring to the re- cent conferences. in Paris and Lon don, he said:
 q earnestly trust that as the rt suit of these meetings a settlement of the long continued Adriatic dis pute will shortly be reached. In ord CT, however, to assure the full bles- sings of peace and prosperity to Flu rope, it is essential that not only peace but normal conditions of life should be restored in Eastern Europe and in Russia. So long as these vast regions withhold their full contribu- tion to the stock of commodities fol general consumption, the cost of living can hardly be reduced or gen. eral prosperity be restored to the
 Ireland Is Problem
 believe our country and empire is making rapid strides toward stabil- ity and prosperity" he said. "The price of foodstuffs and other neces. sary commodities is causing anxiety to all the peoples of the world, but am glad prices in these islands arc appreciably lower than elsewhere This fact. and the condition ot trade with the outside world, espec iallY of export trade, serves to show my people are providing no less sue cessful in dealing with the troubles war left behind than they were ir enduring war itself. If, however, we are to insure lasting, progress, pros psrity and social peace, all classes must continue to throw themselvee into the work of reconstruction witl good will for others, and with energy and patience. In addition, legislation providing for large and far reaching measures of reform must be passed into law.
 The condition of Ireland causes me grave concern. but bill will be immediately be laid before you to give effect to proposals for better government of that country, which was outlined at the end of the last session of parliament, A bill to make further provisions for educa- tiOn, for certain districts, makes ths question one of urgency, but care will be taken to make the measure com pRtible with the home rule bill.
 "Despite increased agricultural production during the war, the populations of these islands are still dangerously dependent upon supplies of food from overseas, and the fin ancial burden of purchasing such supplies in foreign markets against the adverse rate of exchange is very great.
 Liquor Question.
 sUneasiness is also being caused by the unprecedented sale of the landed property since the war. A measure will, accordingly be proposed to mitigate any hardship which this operation may cause those who oc cupy the soil, and to stimulate and develop production of essential food stuffs within the United Kingdom.
 The imperative and difficult prob lcms which have risen in the coal mining industry should be settled or an enduring basis. You will be asked to consider proposal for the acquisition of coal royalties by the state, for the improvement of conditions in the mining areas and for the future regulation question was:
 Experiences during the war show ed the clearly injurious effects upon the national efficiency of the exces- sive consumption of strong drink. and the amelioration in both health and efficiency, which followed ap- propriate measures of regulation and control. A bill accordingly will be presented to you providing for the development of suitable system for the peace time regulation of the sale and supply of alcoholic liquor"
 Among the bills which the king said would be introduced were meas ures for the after-war organization of the army and the navy, for the creation of an adequate supply of cheap electric and water power and a bill dealing with the reform of the house of commons.
 After adjournment following the formal opening of the parliament both houses re-assembled at o'clock for the debate on the kings speech.
 Before the debate began Premier Lloyd George announced that he would at an early date ask leave to introduce bill "to amend the pro- visions for the government of Ire hnd. The premier's announcement of the probable early appearance or the home rule measure was greeted with cheers.
 Opening Ceremony.
 London today witnessed for the first time since 1914, the ancien, ceremony of state opening of par Hament with all its traditional pag- eantry.
 King George, Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales, who accompanied the royal couple for the first time at such g function, proceeded from Buckingham Palace to Westminster in the state carriage, escorted by mounted life guards. The royal par ty, was received by members of the two houses of parliament in the house of lords, where King George read the speech from the throne.