Evening star., 1929-07-02
Expected Foreign Policy to
Encourage Peace Is
Announced.
LIQUOR MANUFACTURE
TO BE PROBE SUBJECT
Labor Governments Beginning
Described as Simplest
in Many Years.
Ru The Assnriatnd Press

LONDON, July 2.-Great Britain's
new Labor government today formally
embarked upon its administration with
the opening of Parliament, the sixth in
the reign of George v. and the presen-
tation of the speech from the throne in
which Labor's policies were publicly
outlined.
the Kings speech was read by Lord
Chancellor Sankey in front of the empty
throne was one of the simplest and
quietest In many years. 1t was the frst
time since 1900 that Parliament had
opened in the absence of the sovereign.
Although King George had returned to
London yesterday, 1t was not deemed
advisable for him to make the effort OF
reading the speech himself.
Seated before the vacant seat Of his
majesty were the royal commission OF
five acting for the King. In their scar
let and ermlne robes they provided the
only vivid color in the solemn chamber:
On their right sat the Archbishop OF
Canterbury and six other lords spiritual
Opposite the bishops were perhaps SO
peers in the usual morning dress.
Salute Commons.
The lord chancellor, president Of the
commissioners, dispatched summons
for the Commons to attend and when
members stood before the par OF LORDS
the five commissioners saluted them by
raising their three-cornered black velvet
hats three times.
Then while the members of the other
chamber stood, Lord Chancellor Sankey,
still seated read and delivered the min
isterial declaration. There was absolute
silence among those on the floor and In
the galleries as the crisp tones revealed
Labor's administrative program.
All the announcements on foreign
policy had been fairly well forecast. par
ticularly with reference to efforts toward
disarmament and the resumption OF
diplomatic and trade relations with
Soviet Russia.
The domestic program also was large
ly IN line with public expectation, par
ticularly regarding the unemployment,
slum clearance and insurance schemes.
There was somewhat of stir as the
Labor party's purpose to examine the
whole field of legislation relating to the
sale and the supply OF intoxicating
liquor was announced.
VIII Probe Elections.
A second point that attracted keen
interest was Labor's plan to investigate
the laws governing parliamentary elec-
tions in the light of the recent expert
ences in the general election so as to
modify the statutes into conformity with
new conditions.
With the Kings speech ended, the
Commons and Lords filed out Of the
chamber without demonstration. The
Commons returned to its own hall and
the day when debate on the address In
reply to the speech will begin.
General opinion was the speech had
little that was startlingly socialistic and,
save in few instances might have been
the program of any recently preceding
Conservative or Liberal ministry.
The first sentence of the speech after
its introduction was that my relations
with foreign powers continues to be
friendly" The address then mentioned
favorable conclusions OF a reparations
conference Of governments. which should
climax its work with arranging for
evacuation of the Rhineland.
Wants Arms Reduction.
1t then said of disarmament: Con-
versations have commenced with the
Ambassador of the United States of
America on the subject Of naval dis
armament, in consequence of which it
is the earnest hope of my government
to insure, In cooperation with my gov
ernments in the dominions, the govern
ment of India and the governments of
foreign powers, an early reduction Of
ornaments throughout the world"
Announcement followed of intention
to adhere to the optional clause Of the
World Court statute, the action to be
taken in collaboration with the govern
ments of the dominions.
The speech follows:
while I regret that 1t Is not possible
to address you in person, I thank Al
mighty God that I can look forward
with confidence to that complete res
toration Of health for which the prayers
of my people throughout the empire,
with sympathy and affection which will
call forth my deepest gratitude, were
offered during the months of my long
illness.
MY relations with foreign powers
continue to be friendly.
The independent financial experts
appointed to draw up proposals for COM
plete and definite settlement of the
German reparations problem have pre-
sented unanimous report, which is at
present being considered by my govern
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