BRITISH AND FOREIGN STATE PAPERS. SPEECH of the King, on the Opening of the British Parlia-· ment.— Westminster, February 6, 1911. My Lords and Gentlemen, IN opening the first Parliament elected in my reign, the grievous loss which the Empire has sustained by the death of my beloved father is uppermost in my thoughts. When, a year ago, he addressed you from the Throne no one could have foreseen that his life of unceasing and devoted activity in the service of his subjects was so soon to be cut short. Bowing to the inscrutable decree of Providence, I take courage from his example, and I am sustained in my abiding sorrow by the sympathy extended to me by my people in every part of my dominions. I have welcomed back my uncle, the Duke of Connaught, on the completion of the mission in South Africa which I entrusted to him, and it has deeply gratified me to learn that he was received with demonstrations of the utmost enthusiasm and loyalty in every part of my South African dominions, and by every class of the community. My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly. The Japanese Government, having given notice of their intention to terminate the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation of 1894, negotiations, which it is hoped will result in a satisfactory arrangement, have been entered upon for the conclusion of a new Treaty. Frequent complaints of the injury inflicted on British trade by the continued disorder on the trade routes in Southern Persia led my Government reluctantly to address strong representations to the Persian Government, who have since given attention to the subject. Some improvement has lately been shown in the condition of the routes, and my Ministers propose to await further developments before pressing for the adoption of their own proposals, which, in any case, would have no other object than to see the authority of the Persian Government restored and trade protected. I look forward with much interest to the assembling in May [1910-11. civ.] B next of the Imperial Conference, at which the chief Ministers of my self-governing dominions and of the mother country will unite in counsel regarding matters of importance submitted by my respective Governments. It is my intention, when the solemnity of my Coronation has been celebrated, to revisit my Indian dominions, and there to hold an assemblage in order to make known in person to my subjects my succession to the Imperial Crown of India. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, The Estimates for the ensuing year will in due course be laid before you. My Lords and Gentlemen, Proposals will be submitted to you without delay for settling the relations between the two Houses of Parliament, with the object of securing the more effective working of the Constitution. Measures will be presented to you, in pursuance of intentions already declared, for carrying out and extending the policy initiated in previous Parliaments, by securing the permanent provision of old age pensions to persons previously disqualified by reason of the receipt of poor relief; and by providing for the insurance of the industrial population against sickness and invalidity, and for the insurance against unemployment of those engaged in trades specially liable to it. Bills dealing with other measures of importance will be introduced and proceeded with as time and opportunity allow. I pray that Almighty God may bless your labours. SPEECH of the King, on the Closing of the British Parliament.-Westminster, December 16, 1911. My Lords and Gentlemen, My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly. I am happy to say that the negotiations which have taken place between the Governments of France and Germany in regard to Morocco-a matter in which my Government was concerned by its Treaty engagements-have been brought to a conclusion. In the state of war which unhappily exists between Italy and Turkey I have issued a Proclamation declaring the strict neutrality of this country. The deliberations of the Imperial Conference in May and June bore witness to the harmony of the relations subsisting between the Governments of the United Kingdom and of the self-governing dominions beyond the seas and to the growing consciousness of their common interests, as well as to the spirit of loyalty and kinship which pervades these dominions and adds lustre to my Crown. I trust that the labours of the Royal Commission which will shortly be appointed to enquire into the natural resources and the improvement of the trade of the Empire may be fruitful in showing means of ensuring the greater prosperity and promoting the mutual intercourse of my dominions. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I thank you for the liberality with which you have made provision for the services of the year. My Lords and Gentlemen, The relations between the two Houses of Parliament have been adjusted by the passing of the Parliament Act. I have given my assent to a Bill which will supplement the policy already sanctioned by Parliament by extending the benefit of old age pensions to persons previously disqualified by reason of the receipt of poor law relief. It is with great satisfaction that I have assented to a Bill to provide for the insurance of the industrial population against loss of health and for the prevention and cure of sickness among them and for the insurance against unemployment of those engaged in trades specially liable to it. I anticipate with confidence that the operation of this measure, while fortifying existing inducements to thrift and self-reliance, will do much to alleviate misery and to check disease among those whose social conditions it is designed to ameliorate, and to mitigate the hardships caused to workmen and their families by those depressions in the labour market which are especially felt in certain precarious trades. An Act has been passed consolidating and amending the law relating to copyright. This measure will enable me to accede to the International Convention recently signed at Berlin, and when supplemented by corresponding legislation in my selfgoverning dominions will, I trust, provide a comprehensive and equitable code of law regulating this important subject throughout my Empire. The Act effecting modifications in the land system and in the agricultural administration of Scotland will, I sincerely hope, confer benefit alike upon the agricultural and crofting population and upon the general community. The measure for the consolidation and amendment of the Coal Mines Regulation Acts, which marks a great advance on previous legislation for the health and safety of persons employed in the mining industry, met with general acceptance on all sides, and its passage was made the easier by the mutual good-will with which it was received by the representatives of the owners and workmen. The health and well-being of a large class in the community will be beneficially affected by the Act for securing a universal half-holiday to shopkeepers and shop assistants. I thank you for the assiduity with which you have discharged your arduous duties, and I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend your work. ACT of the British Parliament to Prohibit the Landing and Selling in the United Kingdom of Fish caught in prohibited areas of the Sea adjoining Scotland or Ireland. [9 Edw. VII, c. 8.] [September 20, 1909.] BE it enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows :— 1. From and after the expiration of one month from the passing of this Act it shall not be lawful to land or sell in the United Kingdom any fish caught by the methods of fishing known as beam trawling and otter trawling within prohibited areas as defined in this Act; and fish so caught within such areas shall be added to the table of prohibitions and restrictions contained in section 42 of "The Customs Consolidation Act, 1876,"* and upon being brought to land in the United Kingdom shall be dealt with as goods imported and brought into the United Kingdom contrary to the said prohibitions and restrictions. 2. If a trawling or other vessel shall have been employed(a.) In fishing by the methods and within the areas aforesaid; or (b.) In taking on board fish caught by the methods and within the areas aforesaid, within two months prior to the landing or selling, or attempt to land or sell, fish therefrom in the United Kingdom, any fish on board such trawling or other vessel shall for the purposes of this Act be presumed to have been caught by the methods and within the areas aforesaid. 3. The Fishery Board for Scotland shall from time to time notify to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, or to the officer or officers of Customs and Excise stationed at such ports as may be deemed necessary, the names, numbers, or other means of identification of all vessels with regard to which the said Board are satisfied that on the date or dates specified in * 39 & 40 Vict., c. 36. |