OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1698, 14 February 1888, Page 4

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

London, February 9, Parliament will, be opened to-day by Commission. The following is a forecast of the speech : The references to foreign affairs stats that they are rf a strictly pacific character. The settlement of the Afghan frontier question removes all chancss of a misunderstanding, and will facilitate the operations of the AngloFrench Suez Canal Convention. The negotiations on the American fisheries dispute have not yet been sufficiently advanced to permit of a definite statement being made. Regret is expressed at the failuie of Mr Portal to effect a reconcifiation between the Negus of Abyssinia and Italy, and a hope is expressed that the works of the Sugar Bounties Conference willeiVly bear satisfactory results. The diminution of crime in Ireland is noted. The Government are satisfied with the improvement manifested, and will still edhore to their determination to insist nn (he law being stringently enforced. No special Irish Bills are promised, though reference is made to the desireableness of ending the dual ownership of land. Bills arc promised dealing with local government in England and Wales, land transfer, tithes, technical education, railway rates, employers’ liability, Scotch University, and the regulation of limited liability companies, The Speech emphasises the necessity for miking provision ou the estimates for a complete defence of coaling stations, and refers to the subsidy proposed for the equipment of an Australian auxiliary squadron. Reference is also made to the Nava! Commission for the protection of life and property in the New Hebrides. It also promises to increase facilities for the transformation of the Irish occupiers of land into owners of holdings. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Parnell gave notice of a Bill to amend the Irish Land Act. The Bill provide* for the reduction of judicial tenancies to seven years. Lord Salisbury, in a speech in the House of Lords, said Government intended to uphold its policy wi'h regard to the interests in the south-east of Europe, which England had always advocated. Tiie only danger he apprehended in this quarter was if Russia resorted to adventurous and illegal action, but be had specific authority for saying that Russia would carefully abstain from any illegal ac ion in that way. He attached groat value to the assurance of the Powers that peace would be maintained. Sir Charles Russell, M. p , for Hackney, has given notice of an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, asking that an inquiry be held into the action of Government in inlerfering with meetings in Trafalgar Square. Mr Gladstone made a speech of studied moderation. He proposed to expedite business and deprecated any party rivalry in regard to the foreign policy of Government, and said l:o was not disposed to a renewal of tho constant agitation of Lat sesai u.

Mr Parnell's amendment to the Address-in-Heply attacks the administration of ifie Crimes Act in Ireland.

Tho House of Lords adopted (he Ad - dress-in-Reply. February 10.

Mr Gladstone, speaking in the House of Commons, said that be regarded the reference in the Queen’s Speech to Ireland as a direct chal enge to the Homo Rulers. Ho denied that there had been any diminution of crime, and invited Government to produce the proofs, He regretted th.it the speed) contained no intimation that local Government would bo granted to Ireland. Mr W, H, Smith, in reply to Mr Gladstone, s aM that ho would supply the House with ample proofs of the decraas-i of crime in Ireland. There was a notab’e decrease of boycotting in the counties of Glare and Kerry. He further remarked that Government was prepared to extend local government to Ireland when the Irish people showed that they were reconciled to the law.