ENGLISH NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 78, 3 July 1852, Page 7

ENGLISH NEWS.

After a prolonged absence of news in any shape from the neighbouring colonies and Europe, we are suddenly inundated with papers, so as to render it a matter of difficulty with the limited space we can afford this week, to convey all the information we would wish. We have in a former number alluded to the Queen's speech on opening Parliament : it is of peculiar moment and value to the inhabitants of New Zealand, as her Majesty directly refers to a constitution to be granted to us. We give it below. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. " My Lords and Gentlemen,—■ The period has arrived when according to usage, I can again avail myself of your advice and assistance in the preparation and adoption of measures which the welfare of the country may require. m" I continue to maintain the most friendly relations with foreign powers. "The complicated affairs of the Duchies of Holstein and Schleswig have continued to engage my attention. I have every reason to expect that the treaty between Germany and Denmark, which was concluded at Berlin in the year before last, will in a short time be fully and completely executed. " I regret that the war which unfortunately broke out on the eastern frontier of the Cape of Good Hope more than a year ago still continues. Papers will be laid before you containing full information as to the progress of the war, and the measures which have been taken for bringing it to a termination. " While I have observed with sincere satisfaction the tranquillity which has prevailed throughout the greater portion of Ireland, it is with much regret that I have to inform you that certain parts of the counties of Armagh, Monaghan, and Louth, have been marked by the commission of outrages of the most serious description. The powers of the existing law have been promptly exerted for the detection of the offenders, and for the repression of a system of crime and violence fatal to the best interests of the country. My attention will continue to be directed to this important object. " Gentlemen of the House of Commons, " I have ordered estimates of the expenses of the current year to be laid before you. "I rely with confidence on your loyalty and zeal to make adequate provisions for the public service. " Where any increase has been made in the estimates of the present over the past year, such explanations will be given as will, I trust, satisfy you that such increase is consistent with a steady adherence to a pacific policy, and with the dictates of a wise economy. " My Lords and Gentlemen, " The improvement of the administration of justice in its various departments lias continued to receive my anxious attention, and, in furtherance of that object, I have directed bills to be prepared, founded upon the reports made to me

by the respective commissions appointed to inquire into the practice and proceedings of the superior courts of law and equity, as nothing tends more to the peace, prosperity, and contentment of a countrr than the speedy and impartial administration ,of justice. 1 earnestly recommend these measures to your deliberate attention.

" The act of 1848, for suspending the operation of a previous act, conferring representative institutions on New Zealand, will expire early in the next year. lam happy to believe that there is no necessity for its renewal, and that no obstacle any longer exists to the enjoyment of representative institutions by New Zealand. The form of these institutions will, however, require your consideration, and the additional information which has been obtained since the passing of the acts in question will, I trust, enable you to arrive at a decision, beneficial to that important colony. ft It gives me great satisfaction to be able to state to you that the large reductions of taxes which have taken place of late years have not been attended with a proportionate diminution of the national income. The revenue of the past year has been fully adequate to the demands of the public service, while the reduction of taxation has tended greatly to the relief and comfort of my subjects. ''I acknowledge, with thankfulness, to Almighty God, that U-anquility, good order, and willing obedience to the laws continue to pre-. vail generally throughout the country. " It appears to me that this is a fitting time for calmly considering whether it may not be advisable to make such arrangements in the act of the late reign relating to the representation of the Commons in Parliament, as may be deemed calculated to carry into more complete effect the principles upon which the lawis founded. " I have the fullest confidence that in any such consideration you will firmly adhere to the acknowledged principles of the constitution, by which the prerogatives of the Crown, the authority of both houses of parliament, and the rights and liberties of the people are equally secured." In the Lords on the 10th of February, Earl Grey, in answer to a question, said that the bill conferring a Constitution on New Zealand would be brought forward as soon as the state of public business would permit. During the debate in the Commons on the address, Sir B. Hall asked for explanations respecting Lord Palmerston's dismissal from the Cabinet. Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerslon spoke at length on the subject, and Mr. Disraeli wound up the debate by declaring he could derive little information from either of the noble lords. We shall give a more detailed account in our next. Lord Broughton, (late Sir John Hobhouse) has resigned the Presidency of the Board of Controul, and will be succeeded by Mr. Fox Maule. The Marquis of Normandy has been appointed Governor-General of India, vice the Marquis of Dalhonsie, who is expected home owing to ill health. Mr. Vernon Smith is the New Secretary of war. Lord Cowley succeeds the Marquis of Norman by as Ambassador at Paris. The Marquis of Lansdown is expected to resign shortly, on account of old age, and is rumoured will be elevated to a Dukedom. Lord Stanley of Alderby has been appointed President of the Board of Trade. The Australian Steam Company announce that their first iron auxiliary steamer of 1500 tons and 300 horse power, would start for Australia early in April. The Duke of Wellington lias exonerated Sir H. Smith in his conduct of the Kaih'r war. His Grace has proposed as the speediest mode of concluding it, to cut military roads through the enemy's fastnesses, iutt the enormous expense would iv all probability prevent this being done. Lord John Russell's Reform Bill does not seem to have given much satisfiu'tioi:, it being termed a half and half measure of expediency. The Naval force at the garrison ions }:;is been increased ,and their crews augmented to the war-footing. The army is to i>e increased, 34 regiments being augmented 100 men each. On the 10th and lltli January the Kuc'iish coasts were visited with a tremendous western gale, spreading destruction to an enormous extent. Man}' vessels were driven ashore and dashed to pieces.