THE LATEST.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3531, 22 January 1886, Page 2

THE LATEST.

(Re mint's Aobnov.) (Received 2 a.m., Jan. 2'2:;c1.) London, Jan 21. Tha niinoin'cemcnt that Mr Edward | S'iiiiliopc hud been appointed Chief Secretary fur Ireland, I urns on t tn hiivo b^tm inncciirntc, ns Mr W. 11. Smith is (ifficially stated to liavu assumed tliat. pofitioti. Tlio ful'oniig is be'TOVsel to l>a tin; general forecast, of I ho Qucen'a Speech, to bo dtilivcruil at tho finnal cpsuiufj of Parliautnt In-day. The Spsroh nn-noitnc.-a tl-at tha Volnlinua of Great Briluin with the Foreign Powers contiuuo as hitherto of a frr.ndly nature, and ,

gratilic.tion is expressed at the satisfactory settlement of the difficulty bctwocn England and Russia m regard to tho Afylmn boundary question. Referring to tho Balkan question, Her Majesty s>u(cs that tho aim of her Advisers haß been to settle Bulgarian affairs m conformity with the wishes of tho interested po''pk>, having rojinrrl at tho same timo to thori^litsof His Majesty the Sultan. It is announced tl.at delegates have boon appointed under the Convention concluded with Turkey, and are advising wba/, moaMires shall be tnken for promoting tho Central security of Egypt, and the establishment of a stable Government for that country. It is announced Ihit owin<; to tho continued hostility of Kin" Theebaw, an expedition to Upper Bunnah was rendered necessiry. Tha expedition, tho •Speech states, was conducted m a skilful manner, and ended m tho annexation of that country. It is further announced that a general enquiry has been set on f'.'ofc m view of the oircumstnncc3 surrounding English iu!e m India with a view to the best mode of administering the Government of that country. The Speech deplores the present depression m trade. Her M;»j°sty states that Government will offer a resohif& oppnsiliou to any proposal to sever UlO Union with Ireland, and expresses a belief that should any contingencies arise requiring extra powers to be conferred on the Executive, they will receive tho duo attention of Parliament. Among the measures announced for Ihe forthcoming session, are .schemes for tho improvement of Ciivr.ity Govcrnmtnt m England, and it is statel that similar Bills for Scotland and Ireland will follow. Measures will bj introduce! to cheapen and facilita'e tho transfer of land and to. prevent accidents m mines. The Crofter difficulty will also receive tho attention of Parliament. The Speech, m conclusion, alludes to ilia necessity for certain reforiU3 m Piirliamentaiy procedure.