THE QUEEN’S SPEECH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 189, 3 May 1860, Page 3

THE QUEEN’S SPEECH.

Parliament met on the 24th January,, with all the pomp and ceremony usual on the occasion. Her Majesty was superbly robed in silver tissue with a train of crimson velvet lined with ermine. A magnificent stomacher of diamonds completely concealed, the front of her dress, and on her head was the high massive demi-crown of brilliants usually worn on these occasions. Prince Albert, in the uniform; of a field marshal; sat on. the left of the throne. Her Majesty read as follows: My Lords and Gentlemen,

It is with great satisfaction that I again* meet you iu Parliament, aud have recourse to your assistance and advice. My relations with foreign Powers continue to be on a friendly and satisfactory footing. At the close of the last session I informed you that overtures bad been made to me to ascertain whether, if a, conference should be held by the Great Powers of Europe for the purpose of settling arrangements connected with the present state and future condition of Italy, a plenipotentiary would« be sent by me to assist at such a conference. I have since . received a formal invitation from the Emperor of Austria and from the Emperor of the French to send a plenipotentiary to a congress to consist of the representatives of the eight Powers who were parties to the Treaties of Vienna of 1815; the objects of such Congress being stated to be to receive communication of the treaties concluded at Zurich ; and to deliberate, associating with the above mentioned Powers, the courts of Rome, of Sardinia, and of the Two-Sicilies* on the means best adapted for the pacification of Italy, and for placing its prosperity on a: solid’and durable basis.

Desirous at all times to concur in-proceed-ings having for their object, the maintenance of peace, 1 accepted the invitation,- but; at the same time, I made known that,, in such a Congress,. I should stedfastly maintain the principle that no-external force should be employed to impose upon the people of Italy' auy particular government or constitution. Circumstances have arisen which have led to a postponement of the Congress, without any day having been fixed for its meeting; but whether in Congress or in separate negotiation, I shall endeavour to obtain for the people of /talv freedom from foreign interference by force of arms in their internal concerns ; and I trust that the affairs of tho Italian peninsula may be peacefully and satisfactorily settled. Papers, on this subject will soon be laid before you.

I am in communication with the Emperor of the French with a view to extend the commercial intercourse between the two countries, aud thus to draw still closer the bonds of friendly alliance between them. A dispute having arisen between Spain and Morocco, I endeavoured, by friendly means, to prevent a rupture; but I regret to.say without success.

I will direct papers on this subject to bo laid before you. My plenipotentiary, and the plenipotentiary of the Emperor of the French having, in ok dience t) flieir instructions, proceeded to the mouth of the Peiho, river, in order to repair to Pekin to exchange in that city the ratifications of the treaty of Tien-tsin, in pursuance of the »6th Article of that treaty, their further progress was opposed by force, and a conflict took place between the Chinese forts on the mouth of the river and the naval forces by which the plenipotentiaries were escorted.

The allied forces displayed on this occasion their usual bravery, but after sustaining a. severe loss, were compelled to retire. I am preparing, in concert and co-operation-with the Emperor of the French, an expedition, intended to obtain redress and a fulfilment of the stipulations of the treaty of Tien-tsin.

It will be gratifying to me, if the prompt acquiescence of the Emperor of China in the moderate demands which will be made by the plenipotentiaries shall obviate the necessity for the employment of force. I have directed that papers on this subject shall be laid before you. An unauthorised proceeding by an officer of the United States in regard to the Island of San- Juan, between Vancouver’s Island ami the mainland, might have led to a serious collision between my forces and those of the United States. Such collision, however, has been prevented by the judicious forbearance of my naval and civil officers on the spot, and by the equitable and conciliatory provisional arrangement proposed on this matter by the government of the United States. I trust that the question of boundary out of which this affair has arisen may be amicably, settled in a manner conformable with the just rights of the two countries, as defined by the first article of the Treaty of 1846. The last embers of disturbance in my East-

Indian dominiQns have been extinguished; my viceroy has made a peaceful progress through the districts which had been the pnn cipal scene of disorder, and, by a judicious combination of firmness and generosity my authority has been everywhere solidly, and, I trust, permanently established. I have received from my viceroy the most gratifying accou: t> of the loyalty of my Indian subjects, and of the good feeliug evinced by the native chiefs and the great landowners of the country. The attention of the Government in India has been directed to the development of the internal resources of the country; and lam glad to inform you that an improvement has taken place in its financial prospects. I have concluded a treaty with the Tycoon of Japan, and a treaty regarding boundaries with the Republic of Guatemala. I have directed that these treaties shall be laid before you. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I have directed the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. They have been prepared with a view to place the military and naval services, and the defences of the country, upon an efficient footing. I am glad to be able to inform you that the public revenue is in a satisfactory condition. My Lords and Gentlemen, I have accepted, with gratification and pride, the extensive offers of the voluntary services which I have received from my subjects. This manifestation of public spirit has added an important element to our system of national defence. Measures will be laid before you for amending the laws which regulate the representation of the people in Parliament, and for placing that representation upon a broader and firmer basis. I earnestly recommend you to resume your labours for the improvement of our jurisprudence, and particularly in regard to hank ruptcy, the transfer of land, the consolidation of the statutes, and such a further fusion of law and equity as may be necessary to insure that, in every suit, the rights of the parties may be satisfactorily determined by the court in which the suit is commenced. I am deeply gratified to observe that the great interests of the country are generally in a sound and thriving condition ; that, pauperism and crime have diminished; and that, throughout the whole of my empire, both in the United Kingdom and in my colonies and possessions beyond sea, there reigns a spirit of loyalty, of contentment, of order, and of obedience to the law.

With heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty Ruler of nations for these inestimable blessings, I fervently pray that His beneficent power may guide your deliberations for the advancement and consolidation of the welfare and happiness of my people. Her Majesty then retired, and the House adjourned till 4 o’clock. .