PARLIAMENT AND THE AFGHAN WAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3362, 17 January 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENT AND THE AFGHAN WAR.

♦ The following is Her Majesty's speech at the opening of Parliament : — " My Lords and Gentlemen of the House of Commons, — , "I regret that I have been obliged to call for your attendance at an unusual and probably to most of you inconvenient season. The hostility towards my Indian Government manifested by the Ameer of Afghanistan, and the manner in which lie repulsed my friendly mission left me no alternative bub to make a peremptory demand for redress. This demand having been disregarded, I have directed an expedition to be sent into his territory, and have taken the earliest opportunity of calling you together and making to you the communication required by law. I have directed that the papers on the subject shall be laid before you. " I receive from all foreign powers assurances of their friendly feelings, niid I have every reason to believe that the arrangements for the pacification of Europe made by the Treaty of Berlin will be successfully carried into effect. " Gentlemen of the House of Commons — " The estimates for the ensuing year are in course of preparation, and will in due time be snbmittcd to you. "My Lords and Gentlemen — "I propose that, after full deliberation upon the matters which have led me to anticipilo your usual time of meeting, and after suitable recess you should proceed to the consideration of various measures for the public benefit which will then be laid before you. " I confidently commit to your wisdom the great interests of my empire, and I pray that the blessing of Almighty Q-od may attend your councils." In the House of Lords in the debate on the speech Earl Granvillo complained of several omissions in the Queen's Bpeech, particularly the absence of any mention of the war in South Africa, which was received with great anxiety by those best acquainted with the Colony. Nobody doubted the absolute prerogative of the Crown to make war or peace ; but he was perfectly certain that the continual recurrence of such surprises would seriously weaken the foundations of the prerogative." Lord Lytton*s communications to the Ameer of Afghanistan were harsh and indiscreet. He concluded as follows: — "However unnecessary war may have been, however much we may bo convinced fKatyou have completely played; into tho hands of our great rival, we urge this House to co-operate in the strongest) manner with the House of Commons to 2»ake the most ample provision for the sako of our gallant troops. We trust the Government has n^t made fallacious estimates,, underrating the expenditure, as in the Abyssinian war." Lord Cranbrook declared kha,t ho accepted tho responsibility for his despatch. He pointed out that Lord Granyillo in 1873 do- : clined to intimate to Russia that any aggression on Afghanistan would meet with British ■ resistance. i Earl Grey moved an amendment to the i address expressing regret that Parliament was . not summoned as 9QQX\ ftß possible ati er war . became probable,

The Duke of Somerset cordially supported the prosecution of the war. The Marquis of Salisbury repelled the personal charges that he had deceived Parliament, denying that there had been any change of policy towards Afghanistan. Earl Beaconsfield then addressed tfie> House. He criticised the attitude of the" Opposition, and challenged them to attack directly the justice and policy of the war. He stated that the inspection of Cyprus by bis colleagues showed that the island surpassed all the Government's expectations, and would soon be recognised as one of the most influential positions in the British dominions. In conclusion, he said the Government were prepared to meet Parliament's decirion, however it might nffect the Ministry individually; bufi he hoped the House would decide to maintain tlio Empire, and not sanction a policy which mistakes timidity for wisdom. The nmendment moved by Earl Grey was rejected, and the address adopted without division. In the House of Commons, the Marquis of Hartingfon made a declaration similar to thafr of Lord Granviilo. He said the war having been commenced, it was necessary for the security of India to conduct it vigorously. Mi- Gladstone spoke briefly, expressing the hope that the House would have more information before a vote of credit, was asked. Sir Stafford Nbrthcote denied that Mia Government had purposely picked a quarrel with the Ameer, or desired an extension of territory. The addre?3 was adopted by the House without division.