IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10267, 9 February 1899, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. SPEECH BY LORD SALISBURY. United Press Association—By Electno Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, February 7. A forecast of tho speech to be read «t the opening of Parliament to-day, refers to the pacific relations with foreign countries, congratulates the people upon the victory of Omdurman, and makes sympathetic reference to the Czar's Peace Conference. Bills are promised dealing with the Municipal Government of London, secondary education, regulation of limited liability companies, and usurers, purchase of workmen's dwellings, adulteration of food, and amendment of the Factory and Agricultural Holdings Acts. It is not proposed to make any increases to the army or navy. The forecast of the Qucsn's spsech congratulates the people upon the settlement of tho Soudan and Cretan troubles. Sympathetic reference is made to the murder of the Empress of Austria, and the destitution wrought by the hurricane in the West Indies. Gratification is expressed at the contribution of a warship to tue Imperial Navy by Cape Colony, and India's recovery from the plague and famine. Bills are promised dealing with the creation of an agricultural department in Ireland, Scottish private bills procedure, and the question d tithes and rents charges. Allusion is made to the practicability of suppressing anarchist crimes. "Tha Times" says the Government programme is colourless, .-i tame and a tranquil secsicn is expected.