QUEEN VICTORIA'S SPEECH.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 370, 17 March 1871, Page 2

QUEEN VICTORIA'S SPEECH.

London, February 9.—Parliament re-as-sembled to-day. Following is the Queen's speech, delivered at the opening of the session. Lords and Gentlemen :At an epoch of such moment to the future fortunes of Europe, I am especially obliged to avail myself of your counsels. The war which broke out in the month of July, between France and Germany, ha 3 raged until within the last few'days with unremitting and likewise unexampled force ; and its ravages may be renewed after a few days more, unless moderation and forethought, prevailing over all impediments, shall sway the counsels of both the parties whose well-being is so fatally concerned. At the time when you separated, I promised a constant attention to the subject of neutral obligations and I undertook lo use my best endeavours to prevent the enlargement of the war and to contribute, if opportunity should offer, to the restoration of any eai"ly and honorable peace. In accordance with the first of these declarations, I have maintained the right and strictly discharged the duties of neutrality within the sphere of the two countries, originally engaged. Cherishing with care the cordiality of my relations with the belligerents, I have ■forebore from whatever might, have been construed as gratuitous or unwarranted interference between the parties, neither of whom had shown a readiness to propose Jberms of accommodation, such as would bear .promise of acceptance by the other. I have been unable, ou more than one occasion, to contribute towards placing the representatives of the two contending countries in confidential communication, but until compelled by the surrender of Paris, no further result had been obtained. The armistice now being employed for the convocation of an Assembly in France, has brought about a pause iv the constant accumulation on both sides of human sufferings and has rekindled the hope of a complete accommodation. I pray that this suspension may result in a peace compatible for the two great and brave nations involved—with security and with honor, and likely, therefore, to oommand the approval of Europe, and to give reasonable hopes of a long duration. It has been with concern that I have found myself unable to accredit myself with an ambassador, in a formal mannor, to the Government of Defence which, has oxisted in France since the revolution of September, but neither the harmony nor the efficiency of the correspondence of the two members has been in the slightest degree impaired. The King of Prussia has accepted the title of Emperor of Germany, at the instance of the chief authorities of the nation. I have offered my congratulations on an event which bears testimony to the solidity and independence of Germany, and which I trust may be found conducive to the stability of the European system. I have endeavoured, in correspondence with other powers of Europe, to uphold the sanctity of treaties and to remove any misapprehensions tfs to the binding character of their obligations. It was agreed by the powers which had been parties to the treaty of 1856 that a conference should meet in London. This conference has now been for some time engaged in its labours, and I confidently trust that the result of its deliberations will be to uphold both the principles of public right, and the general policy of the treaty ; and at the 3ime time, by the revision of some of its conditions, in a fair and conciliatory spirit to exhibit a cordial co-operation among the Powers with regard to the Levant, and greatly regret that my earnest efforts have failed to procure the presence at the conference of any representative of France, which was one of the chief parties to the treaty of 1856, and which must ever be regarded as a principal and indispensable member of the great Commonwealth of Europe. At different times several questions of importanco havo arisen, which are not yet adjusted, and which materially affect the relations between the United States and the Territories and people of British North America. One. of them in particular, which concerns the fisheries, calls for an early settlement, lest the possible indiscretion of individuals should impair the neighbourly understanding which it is ou all grounds so desirable to cherish and maintain. I have, therefore, engaged in an amicable communication with the President of the United States, in order to determine the most convenient mode of treatment for j these matters. I-have suggested the appoint- 1 ment of a joint commission, and I <have agreed j to the proposal of the President that this

■mi.- ...m-i..i,_.i ... _ .„„ mmm'_ » ■^WjJ commission shall be authorized at the samri time, and iv the same manner, to receive thl consideration of the American claims growi™ out of the circumstances of the late war Th arrangement will, by common consent, include all eltums for compensation which hare bee or may be, made by each Governmonfc orbv its cii izens, upon the other. <> The establishment of a Prince of the House of Savoy on the throne of Spain by the frea choice of the popularly elected representatives of the Spanish nation, will, I trust, insure for a country which has passed with so much temperance and self-control through a pro longed and trying crisis, the blessing of a stable Government. ° I am, unhappily, not able to state that the inquiry whioh was instituted by the Government of Greece into the history of the shock", ing murder perpetrated during last spring at Diles, had readied a termination answerable in all respects to my just expectations/but T shall not desist from my endeavours to' seem* the complete attainment of the objects of tha inquiry. Some valuable results, however have, in the meantime, been obtained for (Tie exposure and the supressiou of a lawless and corrupting system, which has so long afflicted the Greek peninsula. The anxiety which the massacre at Tientsin on the 21st June last, called forth, has happily been dispelled, and, while it' will be my earnest endeavour to provide for the security of my subjects and their trade in; those remote corner?, T count on your concurrence in the policy that I have adopted of recognising the Chinese Government as entitled to be dealt with in its relations with this country in a conciliatory and forbearing spirit. The Parliamentary recess has been of anxious interest in regard to foreign affairs but I rejoice to acquaint you that ray relations are, as heretofore, those of friendship and good understanding with the sovereigns and states of the civilised world. Papers illustrative of the conduct of my Government in relation to the several matters on which I have now summarily touched, will be duly laid before you. In returning to domestic affairs, I have first to inform you that I have approved of a marriage between my daughter, the Princess Louise, and the Marquis ofLome, and I have declared my consent ■ to this union in a council of gentlemen of the House of Commons. The revenue of the country nourishes, and the condition of trade and industry may, though with partial drawbacks, be declared satisfactory. The estimates of the coming year will be promptly laid before you. The lessons of military experience afforded by the war have been numerous and important. The time appears appropriate for turning such lessons to account by efforts more decisive than heretofore at practical improvement. In attempting this you will not fi'il to bear in mind the special features' in the position of this country, so favourable to the freedom and security of the people, and if the changes from a less to a more effective and elastic system of defensive military pi-eparations shall be found to involve, at least for a time, an increase of various charges, your prudence and patriotism will not grudge the cost, as long as you are satisfied that the end is important and the means judicious. No time will be lost in laying•> before you a bill for the better organisation ofthe army and the aiixiliary land forces of the Crown, and I hardly need commend it to your anxious and impartial consideration. ,