§ Mr. SPEAKERI have further 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 occasion on which I address you marks the close of a period which will be for ever memorable in the history of our country.
The War, upon which all the energies of My Peoples throughout My Dominions have for more than four years been concentrated, has at length been brought to a triumphant issue. The conclusion of an Armistice with the last of the Powers that have been arrayed against us gives promise at no distant date of an honourable and enduring peace. I have already sought an opportunity of expressing publicly to My Peoples and to My Allies the sentiments of heartfelt admiration and gratitude with which I regard the supreme and self-sacrificing devotion that has led to this glorious result. Amidst our rejoicing let us not forget to render thanks to Almighty God for the success with which it has pleased Him to crown our arms.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
I thank you for the unfailing patriotism with which you have made provision for the requirements of the War.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
The exertions which have carried us to victory in the field must in no wise be 3480 abated or slackened until the ravages of war have been repaired and the fabric of our national prosperity has been restored. Through the extension of the suffrage, which this Parliament has carried into effect, all classes of My People will have an opportunity of inspiring and guiding this beneficent undertaking. I trust that the spirit of unity which has enabled us to surmount the perils of war will not be wanting in the no less arduous task of establishing on the sure foundation of ordered liberty the common welfare of My People. In bidding you farewell, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your labours.
§ Then a Commission for Proroguing the Parliament was read in the House of Lords.
§ 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 Friday, the thirteenth day of December, one thousand nine hundred and eighteen, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Friday, the thirteenth day of December, one thousand nine hundred and eighteen.
§ End of the Eighth Session (opened Tuesday, 12th February, 1918) of the Thirtieth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in the ninth year of the reign of His Majesty King George the Fifth.