OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1763, 10 February 1888, Page 3

OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

London, February 9. Parliament will be opened to-day by Commission. Following is a forecast of the speech from the throne :— References to foreign affairs are of a strictly pacific character. The settlement of the Afghan frontier question has removed the chances of misunderstanding and will facilitate 'he operations of the Anglo-French Suez Canal Convention. Negotiations on the American fisheries dispute have not yet been sufficiently advanced to per* mit of a definite statement being made. Regret is expressed at the failure of Mr Portal to effect a reconciliation between the Negus of Abyssinia and Italy, A hope is expressed that the «ork of the Sugar Bount es Conference will early bear satisfactory results. The diminution of crime m Ireland is noted. Government ar; satisfied with the improvement manifested and will still adhere to their determination to insist on tbe law beiog stringently enforced. No special Irish Bills are promised, though reference is made to the desirableness of ending dual owner* ship of land. Bills are promised dealing with local government m England and Wales, land transfer, tithes, technical education, railway rates, employers' liability, Scottish University, and the regulation of Limited Liability Companies. The speech emphasises the necessity for making. provision on the Estimates for the complete defence ot coaling stations, and refers to the subsidy proposed for the equipment of the Australian auxiliary squadron. Government also promises increased facilities for tbe transformation of Irish occupiers of land iato owners of holdings.