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APPENDIX II.
229
The King's Speech on the Prorogation of Parliament.
AUGUST 3, 1928.
MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
THE visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Afghanistan in March last was an auspicious event in the history of Our two countries. To Me it will always be a pleasant memory, and I have received with much gratification messages from King Amanulla expressing His warm appreciation of the welcome accorded to Their Majesties. It is a matter of national congratulation that the visit has confirmed and strengthened the good relations existing between Afghanistan and the British Empire.
My Government have been happy to accept the proposed treaty for the renunciation of war in the form in which it was finally proposed to them by the Government of the United States. The proposed treaty has similarly been accepted by My Governments in the Dominions and by the Government of India. It is My confident expectation that, when completed, it will constitute a new and important guarantee of the world's peace.
Negotiations between My Government and the French, Italian and Spanish Governments for the revision of the Tangier Statute have just reached a successful conclusion. Under the terms of the instrument embodying the results of these negotiations, which I have caused to be laid before you, Italy becomes a contracting party to the Statute and Spain receives additional guarantees for the security of her zone.
A treaty between Myself and His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Persia, regulating the commercial relations between Our countries, and providing for the abrogation of existing treaty provisions which limit the right of Persia to settle. her customs tariff autonomously, has been signed by Our respective representatives. They have also recorded agreements on other important questions in subsidiary notes. The texts of these documents will be laid before you in due course.
In harmony with the Resolution of the Imperial Conference of 1926, recommending the further development of the present system of consultation between My Governments, arrangements have been completed for the appoint- ment by My Government in Great Britain of a representative in Canada, with the title of High Commissioner. He will proceed to Ottawa in September.
The Imperial Wireless and Cables Conference has submitted a unanimous report on the improvement of telegraphic communications between the several parts of My Empire. To the principles underlying the report the Governments concerned are favourably disposed. I hope that with whole-hearted co-operation the telegraph systems which unite its various parts will be organised to the lasting benefit of My Empire.
The Order in Council under the British Guiana Act, 1928, enabling Me to create a new Constitution for that Colony, has been passed.
The Commission appointed to examine the Constitution of Ceylon has now presented its report, and its recommendations will receive the careful con- sideration of My Ministers.
The Commissioners appointed to enquire into agriculture and rural economy in British India have submitted a unanimous report, containing many recommendations for the promotion of the welfare of the rural population. I am confident that these recommendations will receive sympathetic and fruitful consideration from the competent authorities in India.
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