LATE NEWS FROM ENGLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 23 October 1852, Page 7

LATE NEWS FROM ENGLAND.

Dissolution of Parliament; the Queen's Speech ; and Sanction of the New Zealand Government Bill. By the arrival of the " Duke of Portland," we are in possession of English news to the 3rd of July, bringing: the important intelligence that the New Zealand Government Bill had received the Koyal assent. The " Dnlce of Portland" left Gr'avesend on the 20th, and Plymouth on the 30th June ; near Madeira, spoke ELM. Brig of War, ''■ Ferret," M'Donald, Commander, bound for the Coast of Africa, and obtained a Plymouth newspaper of July 3rd. Her Majesty prorogued Parliament in person on the Ist July, and the Gazette of the 2nd contains a proclamation for dissolving Parliament, and calling another, for which the writs are to be returnable on the 20th August. The elections were to take place immediately. In France, the President has prorogued the Assembly in an address which was favourably received, and which we hope to publish nextweek. The following is Her Majesty's Speech,— " My Loeds and Gentlemen, " I am induced by considerations of public policy, to releas3 you at an earlier period than usual from your Legislative duties. •' The zeal and diligence, however, with which you have applied yourselves to your Parliamentary labours, have enabled me, in this comparatively short Session, to give my assent to many measures of high importance, and, I trust, of great and permanent advantage. " I receive from all Foreign Powers assurances that they are animated by the most friendly dispositions towards this country ; and I entertain a confident hope that the amicable relations happily subsisting between the principal European States, may be so firmly established, as, under Divine Providence, to secure to the world a long continuance of the blessings of Peace. To this great end my mind will be unremittingly directed. " I rejoice that the final settlement of the affairs of Holstein and Schleswig, by the general concurrence of the Powers chiefly interested, has removed one cause of recent difference and of future anxiety. " The amicable termination of the discussions which have taken place between the Sublime Porte and the Pasha of Egypt, afford a o-uarantee for the tranquility of the East, and an encouragement to the extension of commercial enterprise. " The refusal, on the part of the King ot Ava, of redress, justly demanded for insults find injuries offered to my subjects at Kangoon,

has necessarily led to an interruption of friendly relations with that Sovereign. The promptitude and vigour with which the Governor-General of India has taken the measures thus rendered unavoidable, having merited my entire approbation; and I am confident that you will participate in the satisfaction with which I have observed the conduct of all the Naval and Military Forces, European and Indian, by whose valour and discipline the important captures of Rangoon and Martaban have been accomplished ; and in the hope which I entertain that these signal successes may lead to an early and honourable peace. " Treaties have been concluded by my Naval Commanders with the King of Dahomey and all the African Chiefs whose rule extends along the Bight of Benin, for the total abolition of the Slave Trade, which is at present wholly suppressed upon that coast. " I have had great satisfaction in giving my assent to the measure which you have wisely adopted for the better organisation of the Militia ; a constitutional force, which being limited to purposes of internal defence, can afford no just ground of jealousy to neighbouring Powers; but which, in the event of any sudden and unforeseen disturbance of my Foreign relations, would at all times contribute essentially to the protection and security of my Dominions. " Gentlemen of the House or Commons, " I thank you for the liberal provision which you have made for the exigencies of the Public Service. The expenditure which you have authorised shall be applied with a due regard to economy and efficiency. " The recent discoveries of extensive goldfields have produced, in the Australian Colonies, a temporary disturbance of society, requiring prompt attention. I have taken* such steps as appeared to me most urgently necessary for the mitigation of this serious evil. I shall continue anxiously to watch the important results which must follow from these discoveries. I have willingly concurred with you in an Act which, by rendering available to the service of those Colonies the portion arising within them, of the Hereditary revenue placed at the disposal of Parliament on my accession to the Throne, may enable them to meet their necessarily increased expenditure. "My Lords and Gentlemen, "I have gladly assented to the important Bills which you have passed for effecting reforms, long and anxiously desired, in the practice and proceedings of the Superior Courts of Law and Equity, and generally for improving the administration of justice. Every measure which simplifies the forms, and diminishes the delay and expense of legal proceedings, without introducing uncertainty of decision, impairing the authority of the Courts, or lowering the high standard of the Judicial Bench, is a valuable boon conferred upon the community at large. " I hope that the measures which you have adopted for promoting extramural interment of the dead, and for improving the supply of water, may be found effectual for the remedy of evils the existence of which has long been. a reproach to this great metropolis, and may conduce to the health and comfort of its inhabitants. " The extension of popular rights and legislative powers to my subjects resident in the colonies, is always to me an object of deep interest ; and I trust that the institutions which, in concert with you, I have sanctioned for New Zealand, may promote the welfare and contentment of the population of that distant but most interesting Colony, and, confirm their loyalty and attachment to my Crown. " It is my intention, without delay, to dissolve this present Parliament, and it is my earnest, prayer, that in the exercise of the high functions which according to our free Constitution will devolve upon the several constituencies, they may be directed by an all-wise Providence to the" selection of .representatives, whose wisdom and patriotism "may aid me in my unceasing endeavours to sustain the honour and dignity of my Crown, to uphold the Protestant Institutions of the country, and the Civil and Religious Liberty which is their natural result; to, extend and improve the National Ii ducation ; to develope and encourage Industry, Art, and Science ; and to elevate the moral and social condition, and thereby promote the welfare and happiness of my people."