THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

Otago Witness, Issue 78, 13 November 1852, Page 3

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

" My Lords and Gentlemen,

" I am induced by consideiations of public policy, to release 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, 1 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 roy mind Will be unremittingly directed.

<l 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 guarantee for the tranquillity of the East, and an encouragement to the extension of commercial enterprise.

" The refusal, on the part of the King of Ava, of redress, justly demanded for insults and injuries offered to my subjects at Rangoon, 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, have "merited my entire approbation ; ' and lam 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 ; aad the hope ia

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 Tr.ade, 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 of 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 gold fields 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 willing 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 ex.penditure. " My Lords and Gentlemen, " 1 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 jeffectual 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 mj subjects resident in the colonies, is always to me an object of deep interest ; and I trust that the Representative Institutions which, in concert with you, I have sanctioned for New Zealand, may promote the welfare and contentment of that distant but most interesting Colony, and confirm their loyally and attachment to my Crown. " It is my intention, without delay, to dissolve this present Parliament, and il is my earnest praj er, that in the exercise of the high functions which according to our free Constitution will devohe 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 my country, and the Civil and Religious Liberty which is their natural result ; to extend and improve the National Education; 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."