OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 410, 25 February 1870, Page 1 (Supplement)

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was opened on Tnesday by Commia* gion. THE QUEEN’S MESSAGE. My Lords and Gentlemen, We have it in command from her Majesty again to invite you to resume your arduous duties, and to express the regret of her Majesty that recent indisposition has prevented her from meeting you in person, as had been her intention, at a period of remarkable public interest. The friendly sentiments which are entertained in all quarters towards this country, and which her Majesty cordially reciprocates, the growing disposition to resort to the good offices of allies in cases of international difference, and the conciliatory spirit in which several such oases have recently been treated and determined, encourage her Majesty’s confidence in the continued maintenance of the general tranquillity. Papers will bo laid before you with reference t J recent occurrences in New Zealand. Gentlemen op the House of Commons, The estimates for the services of the approaching financial year are in a forward state of preparation. Framed with a view in the first place to the effective maintenance of the public establishments, they will, impose a diminished charge upon the subjects of Majesty. The condition of the revenue has answered to the expectations which were formed daring the past Session. Her Majesty trusts that you will be disposed to carry to its completion the inquiry which you las year instituted -into the mode of conducting par liamentary and municipal elections, and thus to prepare the materials of useful and early legislation. My Lords and Gentlemen, It will bo proposed to you to amend the laws respecting the occupation and acquisition of land in Ireland, in a manner adapted to the peculiar circumstances of that country, and calculated, as her Majesty believes, to bring about improved relations between the several classes concerned in Irish agriculture, which collectively constitute the great bulk of the people. These provisions, when matured by your impartiality and wisdom, as her Majesty trusts, will tend to inspire among persons with whom such sentiments may still be wanting, that steady confidence in the law, and that desire to render assistance in its effective administration,'which mark her subjects in general; and thus will aid in consolidating the fabric of the empire. \Ye are farther directed by her Majesty to state, hat many other subjects of public importance appear to demand your care; and among these, especially to inform yon, that a bill has been prepared for the enlargement, on a comprehensive scale, of the mean of national education. In fulfilment of an engagement to the government of the United States, a bill will be proposed to you for the purpose of defining the status of subjects or citizens of foreign countries, who may desire naturalisation, and of aiding them in the attainment of that object. You will further bo invited to consider bills, prepared in compliance with the report of the commis" siou on courts of judicature, for the improvement of the constitution and procedure of the superior tribunals of both original and appellate jurisdiction. The question of religious tests in the universities and colleges of Oxford and Cambridge has beeu under discussion for many years. Her Majesty recommends such a legislative settlement of this question as may contribute to extend the usefulness of these great institutions, and to heighten the re. speot with which they are justly regarded. Bills have been prepared for extending the incidence of rating, and for placing the collection of tha largo sums locally raised for various purposes on u> simple and uniform footing. Her Majesty has likewise to recommend that you should undertake the amendment of the laws which regulate the grant of licenses for the sale of feementod and spirituous liquors. Measures will also bo brought under your consideration for facilitating the transfer of laud, for regulating tha succession to real property in cases of intestacy, for amending the laws as to the disabilities of members of trade combinations, and for both eon. solidating and improving the body of statutes which relate to merchant shipping. While commending to you these weighty matters of legislation, her Majesty commands us to add that the recent extension of agrarian crime ia several parts of Ireland, with its train of aocom panying evils, has filled her Majesty with painful concern. The executive government has employed freely tha means at its command for tha prevention of and a partial improvement may be observed. But although the number of offences, within this class of crime, has been by no means so great as at soma former periods, the indisposition to give evidence in aid of the administration of justice has been aliko remarkable and injurious. For the removal of such evils, her Majesty places her main reliance on the permanent operation of wise and necessary changes in the law. Yet she will not hesitate to recommend to you the adoption of special provisions, should such a policy appear daring the course of the Session to bo required by tha paramount interest of peace and order. Upon these and all other subjects her Majesty devoutly prays that your labours may bo constantly attended by the blessing of Almighty God. Sir, George Grey, tho late Governor of Now Zealand, met with a severe accident on tho afternoon of tho 11th inst., near Storey’s Gate, St. James’apark, London. A boy was leading a largo dog by % chain, when by some means tho dog got his chain round Sic George Grey’s legs, and he was thrown violently down on his forehead. Ho was much shaken, bub after half an hour's rest was able to return homo. A Chance for the Chemists and Florists.— Tho Council for tho Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, have had several rather singular premiums placed at their disposal by Dr. Piesso, F.C.S. Tho premiums are specially meant for Australia and Now Zealand, and it is to be hoped that they will create a lively competition. They arc :—l. A premium of £5 for ouo pound of Otto of Bergamot, of the value of IGs. or raoro iu tho London market, being tho produce of plants (Citrus bergamia) grown in Australia or Now Zealand. 2. A premium of .£5 for ono ounce of Otto of Eoses, of tho value of 205., being tho produce of any plants in Australia or Now Zealand. 3. A premium of .£lO fora canister of Eoflowored Batter or Fat, so scented with any kind or sort of flower, of tho weight of 31bs. or more, and of tho value of Gs. per lb. in London. Tho said butter or fat to be onUowerod or infused with flowers grown in Australia or Now Zealand. —P. Le Neve Foster, Secretary, John-stroet, Adolphi, Loudon, W.C,