OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 237, 8 January 1881, Page 2

OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

The Queen’s Speech. (Per Reuter's' Agency.) London, Jan. 6. Parliament was opened to-day. The Queen’s speech referred to the continued maintenance of the European concert. Referring to the Greek frontier question, the speech states that the Great Powers and England will determine the delineation of the frontier. Alluding to the state of' affairs in Southern Afiica, the speech says that owing to the rebellion of the Boers it was now necessary to take strong, measures to re-assert British authority.. It w’as hoped that the outbreak in Bassuto land would soon be suppressed, but as regards the Transvaal the rebellion there had indefinitely postponed the plans which were to have been instituted for securing an administrative autonomy to the settlers. Regarding Afghanistan, the speech stated that it was not intended to retain Candahar. Alluding to affairs in Ireland, it said that the social condition of the country is alarming, it being, in fact, an extensive system of terrorism. Additional powers are requisite to deal with the state of affairs, and Government would introduce a Bill to provide for the necessary coercive measures for the supression of the existing agitation, and a Bill w r ould at the same time be brought forward dealing with the Irish land question. The speech further states that it will be proposed to abolish corporal punishment in the army and navy'.