THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6001, 10 February 1881, Page 6

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. Loxdox, January 6.—The Queen in her speech at the opening of Parliament, said— "My Lords and Gentlemen —I have called you. at a period earlier than usual to a resumption of your labours, as some affairs of more than common urgency demand your attention. My' relations with foreign Powers continue friendly and harmonious. The question relating to the frontier between Turkey and Montenegro has been solved. The Powers are now engaged in communications which have in view the determination > of the frontier between Turkey and Greece. Some important portions of the treaty of Berlin which have so long remained without . fulfilment, continue to form an object of my anxious attention. A rising in the Trans-' vaal has recently imposed upon me the duties of taking military measures with a view, to a prompt vindication of my authority, and has of necessity set aside for a time any plan of securing to European settlers that full control over their own local affairs, without prejudice to the interests of the natives, which I had been desirous to confer. I regret that the war in Basutoland continues, notwithstanding.the efforts of the Cape Government. It would cause me much satisfaction if a suitable occasion should present itself for friendly; action on my part with _a view to the restoration of peace. The war in Afghanhistan has, been * brought to a close, and, with the exception of the Kandahar force, my troops have been, recalled within the Indian frontier. It is not iriy intention that the occupation of Kandahar shall be permanently maintained, but the , still unsettled condition of the country, and, the consequent difficulty of establishing a native Government, delayed for a time the withdrawal of my army from the position..- .She says Trade is gradually improving! j£n abundant harvest has greatly decreased l.tljc. distress in Ireland." She then continues : ' But I grieve to state that the"social conditions of that country have assumed an alarm-' ing character. Agrarian crimes in general have multiplied far beyond the experience of recent years. Attempts upon life have not grown in the same proportion as other offences ; : but I must add that efforts are being made for personal protection far beyond all former precedent by the police, under tlie direction of the executives. I have to notice other evils yet more widely spread. The administration of justice has been frus-

trated with respect to these offences through the impossibility of procuring evidence, and an extended system of terror has, thus been established in various parts of the country, which has paralysed almost alike the exercise of private rights and the performance of civil duties. In this state of things, new in some important respects, and hence with little of available guidance from formerprecedents, I have deemed it right to put m use the ordinary powers of the law before making any demand, but a demonstration of their insufficiency, amply supplied by the present circumstance of country, leads me now to apprise you that proposals will be immediately submitted tj you for intrusting me with the additional powers necessary, in my judgment, not only for the vindication of order and public law, but likewise to secure on the behulf of my subjects protection for life and property and personal liberty of action. Subject to the primary and imperious obligations to which I have just referred, I continue to desire not less than heretofore to prosecute the removal of grievances and , the work of legislative improvement in Ireland as well as in Great Britain. The Irish Land Act of IS7O lias been productive of great benefits, and has much contributed to the security and comparative well-being of the occupiers of soil without diminishing its value or disturbing the founda tions of property. In some respects, however, and more particularly uudcr the strain of recent and calamitous years, the protection which it supplied has not been found sufficient either in Ulster or other provinces, I recommend you to undertake the further development of its principles in a manner conforming to the special wants of Ireland, both as regards the relation of landlord and tenant, and with a view to effective efforts for giving to a larger portion of the people, by purchase, a permanent proprietory interest in the soil. This legislation will require the removal, for the purposes in view, of all obstacles arising out of limitations on ownership of property. "With due provision for security of the interests involved, a measure will be submitted to you for the establishment of a county government in Ireland, founded upon representation principles, and framed with the double aim of abridging unpopular control over expenditures, and of supplying a yet more serious want by extending the formation of the lmbits of local self-government." She enumerated different matters of English domestic policy which will be laid before Parliament, and concluded with a benediction and commendation of her people to divine care. •DEBATE OX THE ADDRESS. London", January 12.—0n the resumption of the debate in the House of Commons on the Address, Lefebvre, Secretary oi the Admiralty, said that he believed the mere passing of the Coercion Bills would probably be sufficient to terminate the state of terror ' in Ireland, and the Government would not be obliged to enforce its exceptional powers. The present state of Ireland, he said, was largely due to the Conservative neglect of the Irish questions, and he trusted Parliament would now be prepased to deal with the land laws in a generous spirit, so as to secure a permanent settlement, and that the question would be dealt with in accordance with Irish rather than with English ideas. The Chief Secretary for Ireland asked members whose Bills are on as orders of the day, not to insist on their rights, as Government desired to proceed with the debate oil the Address-in-reply to the Queen's speech. Irish members began obstructive objections, and the wrangle lasted some hours. Ultimately a motion that the debate be resumed on the Address was carried. Just before the division was taken, which closed the obstructive debate, Parneli said his party had made their protest against the action of the Government. He said that his conduct in the House had always been fair and above-board, but he 'would not pledge himself as to the conduct of himself and his friends when Bills for the coercion of the Irish people are introduced. PARNELL'S AMENDMENT REJECTED. London, January 14.—1n the House of Commons to-night, the debated on the address was resumed. Sexton and O'Sullivan, Home Rulers, defended to action of the Land League and attacked the Government. Vivian (Liberal) said the feelings of the Irish were shown by the fact that many had waded through the blood of Lord Mountmorris. Paruell said, "That is a falsehood !" The Speaker intervened and declared if Parneli applied such an expression to any member of the House, he must withdraw it; but as Parneli neither withdrew nor repeated the expression, Vivian said he would leave the House to judge between him and Parneli. Childers, Secretary of State for War, strongly urged the necessity of energetic measures in Ireland, and said the Government could not tolerate revolution and allow Ireland to be swayed by self-asserted authority. Parnell's amendment to the Address was rejected— 435 to 57—and the debate adjourned. In the division oil ParneU's amendment eight English members voted with the minority, viz.: Arnold, Jacob, Bright, Cowen, Thomasson, Bradlaugli, Burt, Labouchere, and Collings. The News says a considerable number of Liberals abstained from voting on ParneU's motion. "While concluding that they could not vote with the Government until the nature of the Laud Bill was known, they felt equally unable to vote against coercion. THE IRISH LAND BILL. Another despatch of the above date says the following is an outline of the Government's Irisii Land Bill, which may, however, undergo modification before presentment. The surplus fund of the Irish Church will be devoted first to the reclamation of waste lands ; second, to assist migration from over- j crowded districts; third, according to a carefully drawn scheme to assist emigration. The measure will also include the "three F':;," guarded by restrictive provisions necessary for the practical working of the j measure. j