IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. OPENING OF THE SESSION YESTERDAY.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 32, 8 February 1899, Page 5

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. OPENING OF THE SESSION YESTERDAY.

CONTENTS OF THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. A TRANQUIL SESSION ANTICL. PATED. NO INCREASE OP ARMY OR NAVY. [press association,] (Received February 8, 9.20 a.m.) London, 7th February. The Imperial Parliament will here-opened to-duy. A forecast of the Speech from the Throne to be delivered at the ceremony has been published. Her Majesty dwells upon the pacific relations that now obtain between Great Britain and the other Powers, and makes sympathetic reference to the Tsar's proposed conference to consider the question of the arrest of additions to the European armaments. The circumstances of the last year's Egyptian campaign are recited, and Her Majesty cougratulates the people of Great Britain and the cause of civilisation upon Lord Kitchener's signal victory* over the Dervish barbarism at Omdurman, and the consequent settlement of the Soudan question. The establishment of a settled Government in Crete by the co-operation of Russia, France, Britain, and Italy is also adverted to, and Europe is congratulated upon the achievement of so excellent a reform. Sympathetic reference is made to the murder of the Empress of Austria and to the destitution wrought by the hurricane in the West Indies. Gratification is expressed at the contribution of a warship to the Imperial Navy by the Cape Colony and also at the recovery of India from the effects of the plague and famine. In referring to the International Conference for the Suppression of Anarchism, held during the recess, Her Majesty speaks of the suppression of Anarchist crimes as being within the bounds of practicability. Bills are promised dealing with the municipal government of London, secondary education, the regulation of limited liability companies and oE usurers, the purchase of workmen's dwellings, the prevention of the adulteration of food, and the amendment of the Factory and Agricultural Holdings Acts, also for the creation of an Agricultural Department for Ireland, the procedure relative to Scottish Private Bills, and the question of tithes and rent-charges. It is not proposed to make any increase in the army or the navy. The Times says the Government programme is colourless, and a tame and tranquil session is expected.