OPENING OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1364, 14 February 1881, Page 2

OPENING OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

THE QUEEN’S SPEECH.

In the Queen’s speech her Majesty says : —Trade is gradually improving, and an abundant harvest has greatly decreased the distress in Ireland, but I grieve to state that the social condition of Ireland has assumed an alarming character, and agrarian crimes in general have multiplied. Attempts upon life have not grown in the same proportion for the same offences, but I must add that efforts are being made for personal protection far beyond all former precedent by the police under direction of the executive. I have to notice other evils yet more widely spread. The administration of justice has been threatened with respect to these offences. Through the impossiblity of procuring evidence an extended system of terror has thus been established in various pai*ts of the country, which has paralysed almost alike the exercise of private rights and the performance of civil duties. This state of things is new in some important respects, and hence, with little available guidance from former precedents, I have deemed it right to put in use the ordinary powers of the law before making any further demand. But a demonstration of their insufficiency, amply supplied by the present circumstances of the country, leads me now to apprise yon that proposals will be immediately submitted to you for intrusting me with additional powers, necessary in ray judgment, not only for the vindication of order and public law, but likewise to secure on behalf of my subjects protection for life and property and personal liberty of action. I object to the primary and imperious obligations to which I have just referred. I continue to desire not less than heretofore to prosecute the removal of grievances and the work of

legislative improvement in Ireland a§ in Great Britain. The Irish Land Act of 1870 has be6n productive of great benefits, and has much ‘contributed t 6 the security and comparative Well-being of occupiers of the soil, without diminishing its vain 6 or disturbing the foundation of property. In some respects, however, and more ■ particularly under the strain of a redent and most calamitous year, the protection which it supr.. plied has not been found sufficient either in iJlster Or the other provinces. I recommend you to undertake Fattheir development of its principled in a ‘manner comfortable to the special wants of Ireland. As regards the relation of landlords and tenants, and with ft view to effective efforts for giving tb a large portion Of the people by purchase a permanent proprietory interest in the soil, this legislation will require the lO 1 moval, for the purposes In view, of all obstacles arising out of the limitations on ownerships Of property, with duO provision for the security of the interests involved. A measure Will be submitted to you for the establishment of a County Government in Ireland, founded Upon representative and framed with the double aim os abridging the unpopular control over expenditure and of supplying the yet more serious want of extending the formation of habits of local self-govern-ment. Her Majesty alluded to different matters of English domestic policy which will be laid before Parliament, and Concluded with benediction and commendation of her people to divine care.