§ Mr. SPEAKERI have also to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, being one of the High Commissioners, delivered His Majesty's most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of His Majesty's Command, as followeth:—
§ My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ The recent visit of the President of the French. Republic to My Capital was a source of great gratification to me, and the manifestations of goodwill to which it gave rise afford a fresh guarantee for the continuance of the cordial friendship which unites the two countries.
§ The Special Mission sent to this Country by the President of the Argentine Republic to convey to Me the thanks of the Argentine people and Government for the warm interest manifested by My beloved Father in the recent commemoration of the first centenary of the Argentine Republic cannot but strengthen the good relations which have happily existed so long.
§ The Conference of Delegates of the States at war in the Balkan Peninsula resumed its sittings in London earlier in the year, and agreed upon the terms of a Treaty of Peace. I much regret that hostilities between different nationalities again created a state of war accompanied by many deplorable incidents.
§ It is satisfactory that the Conference of belligerents at Bucharest has led to a cessation of hostilities, which I hope will be permanent.
§ It is a cause of great satisfaction that the Great Powers have kept constantly in touch with each other, and My Government has done all in its power to facilitate the interchange of views and co-operation in action through the Ambassadors in London.
§ Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
§ I thank you for the liberal supplies which you have granted in order to mains fain the full efficiency of the Public Service in its various branches.
§ My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ I view with satisfaction the passing, by agreement between the two Houses, of a Scottish Temperance Act, which will, I sincerely hope, advance the cause of Temperance in that Country, and thereby conduce to the general welfare of the community.
§ I have watched with sympathy the passage of Measures which have now been placed upon the Statute Book for making 2842 further and better provision for the care of Feeble-minded and other Mentally Defective Persons.
§ The National Insurance Act has been amended and supplemented in some of its' provisions, where experience showed that alterations were desirable.
§ I have had pleasure in assenting to the Bill guaranteeing from the Imperial Exchequer a loan by the Government of the Soudan, which will, I confidently hope, not only add to the prosperity of that territory, but also afford increased sources of supply to the cotton industry of this country.
§ I have sanctioned the Appellate Jurisdiction Bill, which will ensure that the Supreme Tribunal of the Empire will be fully and adequately constituted so as to meet the growing requirements of My Indian Empire and of My Dominions Overseas.
§ Important measures have been passed dealing with the public health, the employment of children abroad, and other domestic reforms from which I anticipate beneficial results.
§ It is My earnest prayer that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon all your labours.
§ Then a Commission for proroguing the. Parliament was read.
§ After which the Lord Chancellor said:—
§ MY LORDS, AND GENTLEMEN,—By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's. Name and in obedience to His Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Monday the' Third day of November One Thousand nine hundred and thirteen, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Monday the Third day of November One thousand nine hundred and thirteen.
§ End of the Third Session of the Thirtieth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in the Fourth. Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George V.