The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, FEBKRUARY 3, 1893. IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2889, 3 February 1893, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, FEBKRUARY 3, 1893. IMPERIAL POLITICS.

The Queen's Speech at the opening of the Imperial Parliament was this 'session looked forward to with much more interest than usual, as it would in the ord<nary course contain an announcement of the policy of the new Government. For some reason, how:, ever, only the forecast of the Speech has been cabled to New Zealand, ana we are to c great extent left to gather the contents of the Speech from the criticisms that have been passed upon it. Of course Home Rule for Ireland is the central feature, but beyond the statement that the Bill will be a measure securing further improvement in the internal government of the country no details of the scope of the measure are given. Mr Gladstone's reply appears to indicate that a measure of self government similar to that enjoyed by the British colonies will be proposed to be granted to Ireland. That the Bill will be comprehensive enough is apparent from the Earl of Kimberley's remark that it will be no milk and water measure, The Government statement of their policy with regard to Egypt is less definite than their recent action led us to expect, and im-1 plies that when order shall have been established that country will be left to itself. Here the Labouchere influence, which a month ago was supposed to have been completely thrown off, is again seen. The Scotch and Welsh churches are to be assailed, though not directly, but rather, as we read it, in the direction of disendowment without disestablishment. The registration of votes, the introduction of the orie-man-one-vote system, and the shortening of [the term of Parliaments from seven to, .probably, five years, are all matters which are admittedly in need of reform,? and which N&w Zealand Liberals wifl sympathise with |and so will they with the Gladstone Government's proposed labor legislation. The question of relieving the agricultural classes from ; th° distressed state into which th^ have fallen is both important and 'urgent, and the measures taken pn th\& matjter will be keenly watched the world o^ep. The same interest will be taken in the Government's dealing with the unemployed question, which though not mentioned in the speech will be brough* lender »otice by a resolution moved as an amendment to the Address-in-Reply and cannot b,e ignored, J{ will £hus be, geen that b^sid^s Hon)e Buje the Government fravp set themselves a largp programme, &u4 tfr§ nroGeedjng§ of the session will be full of interest