THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1147, 2 April 1872, Page 4

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

Parliament was opened on the 6th of February. The Queen's speech expresses her thankfulness for the recovery of the

Prince of Wales, and acknowledges the profound and universal sympathy of the people. It announces the Queen's intention to attend the thanksgiving services in St. Paul's. The speech further declares the foreign relations of England are satisfactory. It regrets that the name of the 3 : empire haa been by! the sMty" praieticelf in- th6^ ■Sbuth^iSeas, of which the murder of Bishop Patteson was ; a baneful consequence. It announces a Bill to facilitate the trial of slave traders in Australasia, and to counteract the existence of slavery. The Government was unable to arrive at an understanding with France regarding a modification of the commercial treaty satisfactory to both sides, but the good understanding of the two countries was unimpaired. It expresses the s hope that - the Alabama arbitration will proceed on a basis acceptable to the English Government and nation. Ireland was free from crime. Trade was active in Great Britain, and the revenue had increased. Measures of administration for the improvement of Ireland are announced,* as also Scotch education, mining, licensing Bills, and a Bill to pro' vide two superior courts of justice. The speeoh concludes — "The Queen relies on the loyalty of the people, and the energy and wisdom of Parliament, to sustain the efforts of the Crown to discharge its duties, uphold the rights of the country, and defend the honor of the empire." On the 7th, Mr Disraeli severely criticised the Government, and complained of the meagre notice in the. speech of the American claims, which, if allowed, exceeded what would follow from the total conquest of the country, and were quite preposterous. Mr Gladstone accepted the responsibility of the treaty in making such concessions. But he held that no people of the spirit of Englishmen, even in the last extremity of war, or the lowest depth of national misfortune, would submit to the absurd claims put forward by America. Earl Granville, in the House of Lords, Baid the Government would not sacrifice the rights of the country, and would neglect nothing to obtain a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. The address passjedin both Houses.