Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-16
British Parliament
Assemblies to Consider
Many Big Questions

London Feb. 15-(By the Asso-
ciated Press) The assembling of
Parliament today, with all the cere-
was considered an event of such sig
nificance. both as a spectacle and be-
cause of the importance of the cues
lions to be taken under considera-
ton, that thousands of persons gath
cred in the streets from early morn
ing for a glimpse of the pageant.
while within the upper chamber
members of the commons and the
House of Lords We're crowded togeth
er, with as many of the peers and
peeresses and other distinguished
personages as could press their way
into the building.
King George and Queen Mary occu-
pied the throne, while to the right of
the king was the Prince of Wales. In
his message, the reading of which oc-
cupied only fifteen minutes the king
touched on some of the problems with
which the British empire is faced at
the present time-ruemployment, Ire
land, India and the Near East.
Chief among these he put unem-
ployment, which he ascribed to a
world wide restriction of trade, but
the solution of which did not lie en-
tirely with parliament.
Violence in Ireland was strongly
condemned by the king, who declared:
Neither Irish unity nor Irish self
government can be attained by this
means"
Referring to the arrangements for
making effective the governments
Irish act, which he said were all we'll
advanced, the king expressed the
hope that the majority of the Irish
people would repudiate violence and
cooperate in measure comforting
self-government, leading to Irish uni
ty by constitutional means
Unemployment he characterized as
"the most pressing problem con-
fronting you" 1t could not be- cured
by legislative means but the minis
tiers of the Grown were striving to
revive trade and prosperity, and the
government was endeavoring to as
sist those out of employment through
extension of the provisions OF, the I'M
employment insurance act. He called
for cooperation by labor and capital,
employers and employees.
Although the newspapers had dis
cussed the possibility of Sim Fein
outbreak of some nature, the pro-
ceedings passed without unusual in
cident.
In the debate in the House of Com
mons, which followed the speech
from the throne, former Premier As
auth attacked the governments
irish, Mesopotamian and financial
policies.
The prime minister. Mr.. Lloyd
George, contended that the Irish re-
bellion was being effectively dealt
with. He also announced that the
much discussed report of MAJ. Gen.
strickland, in command of the troops
in Ireland, would not be published al
though he admitted that one company
of ..black and tans' had been dissolv-
cd because of the part they took in
the burning and footing Of Cork
At the opening session of the House
Of Lords the Prince of Wales took the
oath, being present for the first time
as a member. Lord Curxon, secretary
for foreign affairs, spoke at length
on the general conditions in Europe.
which he declared were undoubtedly
brighter and more hopeful than year
ago. With reference to trade with
Russia he said:
Everyone believes that in econom-
ic arrangements lies the real chance
Of recovery for. the eastern parts of
Europe and Russia"
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