§ The KING being seated on the Throne, and the Commons being at the Bar, with their Speaker, His Majesty was pleased to make a most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, and then retired.
§ His Majesty's Speech was as follows:—
§ "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
§ My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly. It is the constant effort of My Government, in co-operation with the League of Nations, to secure the settlement of international differences and to promote the cause of peace.
§ "I have invited the King of Afghanistan to visit Me in March and I look forward to welcoming His Majesty to My capital. It will be a particular pleasure to Me to receive His Majesty on his first visit to Europe.
§ The position in China has so far improved as to permit large reductions in the naval and military forces sent to the Far East for the protection of My British and Indian subjects resident in the Concessions, but the situation caused by internal disturbances 2 and civil wars and the consequent insecurity of life and property, both Chinese and foreign, still give cause for anxiety. In spite of these discouraging circumstances, My Government adhere to the declaration of policy published by them a year ago, as the basis on which they are prepared to meet Chinese aspirations when the Chinese can assure satisfactory protection for British lives and property.
§ On the 29th December last the United States Government communicated to My Ambassador at Washington, for consideration and as a basis for negotiation, the draft of a new Treaty of Arbitration between Myself and the President of the United States of America, to take the place of the Treaty of Arbitration con-concluded at Washington on the 4th April, 1908. The terms of the new draft are being carefully and sympathetically studied by My Government in Great Britain and will be considered in communication with My Governments in the Dominions.
§ Members of the House of Commons,
§ The Estimates for the Public Services will be laid before you in due Course.
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
§ "Although the condition of affairs in some of the principal industries 3 continues to give cause for serious anxiety, I am glad to observe that in the general state of trade and industry there are many encouraging signs of progressive improvement in both our home and external trade which justify the hope that with co-operation and good-will steady progress will be made in the coming year.
§ The burdens imposed upon industry and agriculture by the present incidence of local rates have attracted the anxious attention of My Ministers. They are now engaged upon inquiries into the possibility of affording some relief from these burdens to the producing community and into the changes in local government which would thereby be involved.
§ Proposals will be brought before you for amending the law relating to the parliamentary and local government franchise.
§ Measures will be presented to you for giving effect to certain recommendations of My Commission on National Health Insurance, and for increasing the credit facilities of persons engaged in agriculture.
§ Among other Bills which you will be invited to pass are measures dealing with the laws relating to the Supreme Court of Judicature and to Arbitration, with the amendment of the Companies Acts, with the valuation for rating purposes of property in London, and with the law relating to the Metropolitan Common Pool Fund.
§ You will also be asked to consider proposals for the reorganisation of certain of the Departments in Scotland.
§ Bills dealing with other measures of importance will be introduced and proceeded with as time and opportunity allow.
§ I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your labours."
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed at a quarter past four of the clock, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.