SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11559, 21 February 1906, Page 2

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE.

, r*?**^ London, February J9. ; The'Kinf!; has opened Parliament. The Speech from tbe Throne announced bills dealing with trades disputes, the equalisation at tho London rates, and the amendment, of the education, workmen's eompensaI tion, and unemployed Acts. ;■ ••• [ Received February 20, 5.57 p.iii I London, February 20, ; ! The Speech from tho Throne referred to tho death of King Christian of Denmark, find Queen Alexandra'.^ sovere bereavement., ,It ex'pref^exj the utmosf; /, ajt^tLje Prince and Princess of ..tya-lpa', j r ft ception iil IricHfl? announced thfiii. i relations with foreign i J owors jveiiii friendly; rejoiced in Ji;bG honorable 1 peace arranged between Russia and Japan—due to President .Roosevelt ' 3 initiative; alluded to the. prolonged, ! tion extension of. the AnclorJa.panefW i agreement I expressed a hope that Ulio Algeciras LJontorentie \v6UUI orovo conducive to the maintenance ck peace; mentioned i'rince Charles' acceptance of the throne of Norway : Ind, in regard to Macedonia, declared ihat tho conditions of affairs continue to cause anxiety. It added that with a view to establishing responsible government in the Transvaal, letters 'patent providing for an intermediate stage of representative government, had been recalled, and that a riOw Constitution was being prepared j and though tho elections for the Assembly ivefe not. likely to take place before July, they' \vo-uld not in all livelihood. b - e ctelriyeif mtfrtt months; ln&tnwftjle;. no! fyrtifet licenses for importing coolies would be issued. Responsible government would be granted Orange Colony: Received February 20, 9.18 p.m.' The Speech continued to state fcadi the Colonial Oonfere'nco hM bsdnpostponed, with the concurrence of the colonial governments, until early in 1907. The steady and accelerating increase in imports and exports, with growing activity in home trade, indicate that industries are in a sound and progressive condition. Tho Speeoh voiced the hope that the national expenditure, and the increasing of the capital liabilities of the State would i'eceive earnest attention: The Government was considdring p'kns tor improving, and effecting economics in fegfird to thto government of Ireland ; also f,or introducing means for associating ipe people with the conduct of Irish, affairs. His Majesty continued :— My desire is that the government may be conducted, as far as circumstances permit, in a spirit regardful of the wishes and sentiments of tho Irish. Since tho social and economic conditions of British rural districts requires careful consideration, inquiries arc proceeding relative to moans for attracting and retaining on the soil a larger population. Additional bills are announced dealing with merchant shipping; Scottish Crofters holdings 5 Irian laborers; cheeking commercial corruption 5 imprdvlrig the law regarding, corfciirt 1 colonial marriages; the prevention Of plural voting at Parliamentary olec--1 tions. The King looked well, though ho walked slowly, leaning on a stick. Tho opening was a stately ceremony, though court mourning robbed the Rcion.o of color.