London, Oct. 26.
HE biggest crowds ever known for a State opening of Parliament gathered in the sunshine at Westminster to-day to watch the arrival of Their Majesties the King and Queen at the House of Lords.
King George, opening a session of Parliament for the first time in his reign, read his speech from the throne with the Queen beside him and referred to the concern of his ministers at the conflicts in the Far East and Spain.
People took up their positions in Parliament Square three hours be~ fore the procession was due to arrive! and two hours later Whitehall was lined ten deep. Hundreds also waited outside Buckingham Palace and along, the Mall, thousands rushing to join them when the earlier threatening clouds gave way to brilliant sunlight.
Robed peers waited in the House of Lords while on the other side of St, James' Park Their Majesties were preparing for their first joint State drive through London since the Coronation.
Princess Elizabeth attended an open-Ing of Parliament for the first time, but there was disappointment that the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, was unable to be present owing to an attack of gout which had developed at the week end, Two Kings Invited have invited the King of the Belgians to visit me in November," said His Majesty, "and a similar inviolation has been extended to. the King of Roumania for the spring of next year, shall welcome the visits of Majesties and trust they will eon towards the consolidation of the friendly relations existing between our nation:
"My ministers have followed with growing' concern the continuance of the confiet in Spain, It is their aim to do everything that lies in their Power to assist towards the restor tion of peace among the Spanish people.
"They believe the strict application of an international policy of non Intervention in Spain will materially contribute to this end,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.