SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1897, Page 2

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

FRIEXDLY.

TURKISH REFORMS HOPEFUL. THE GOVERNMENT PRO* GRAMME. London, Jannary 1& I The Imperial Parliament re-assemble! | to-morrow, The following is a foi^ cast of tbe Queea's speech :— The speech will state that the foreign relations of Great Britain are of a friendly character. Strong protests will be made against Turkish misrule, and the Great Powers mil be said to be still hopeful of the reforms promised by the Sultan being carried out. The speech will refer to the brilliant results achieved by the Dongola etpeditioDj under the command of MajotGeneral Sir Kitchner. The results of tbe expedition, it will be pointed cat, rendered the contemplated advance up the Nile possible whenever deemed advisable. Adverting to the Venezuelan boundary question, the speech will state that the friendly offices of the United States are likely to result in an equitable and [honourable settlement of the difficclty. ! Th. arbitration treaty entered into ! between Great Britain and ihe United States embodied a principle for the settlement of international disputes worthy of general imitation. I Regarding the situation in South i Africa, the speech will state that the | resolute measures adopted by the j British and Dutch bad pacified ; Rhodesia, i The speech will contain an expression of sympathy with British subjects in India in regard to the famine aud the Bubonic plague. The speech will also refer to the appointment of a Royal Commission upon tbe question of the sugar industry in the West Indies. The introduction of Bills will be promised dealing with primary education, and possibly with secondary education, in the event of a difficulty, being experienced with regard to the rate made for voluntary schools being speedily settled. Bills are also promised relating to employers' liability, improvement of military and naval defences, securing a more effective water supply far London, appointment of a Board of Agriculture for Ireland, the question of land transfer, regulation of pubiic companies, exclusion of foreign prison-made goody erection of inebriate homes, and i private Bill dealing with the question of procedure in regard co aSairs relating' to Scotland and Inland.