LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2322, 6 February 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. OPENING OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. CALCUTTA EXHIBITION. - PROPOSED DIRECT STEAM SERVICE TO INDIA. (Received February 6, 1.30 a. m.) London, February 5. The following is a forecast of the Queen's speech to be delivered at the the opening of the Imperial Parliament to-day :—The speech states that the relations with foreign Powers continue friendly. It regrets that events in Soudan have delayed the withdrawal of British troops from Egypt, which, however, is still intended, and it hopes that the measures which have recently been taken will solve the difficulty without the necessity of armed intervention, and that Colonel Gordon will shortly discover the best means for effecting the evacuation of Soudan. The difficulty which had arisen, in Madagascar has been satisfactorily arranged with France. Hopes of a happy settlement of the Transvaal frontier question are entertained. The disorder which has arisen in Zululand has been overcome, and that country is now in a satisfactory condition. The state of affairs in Ireland shows signs of steady improvements. The speech announces that a bill will be introduced for dealing with the County franchise, London municipal reform, and local self-go-vernment, and the renewal of the Snuday closing regulations in Ireland. (Received February 6, 11 a. m.) The fifth session of the present Parliament was opened to-day by local Commission. The royal message, as read by the Lord Chancellor, agrees forecast already telegraphed, except in so far as the latter referred to Egypt. On this subject the Speech states that the proposed withdrawal of British troops from that country had been cancelled as a measure of precaution against the possible effects of a reverse to Egyptian arms in Egypt itself. So far as the British occupation is concerned, the aim of such occupation is, the Speech adds, unchanged. Calcutta, February 5. The returns of attendance at the Exhibition show that to dale half a million persons paid for admission. As the interest in the display shows no sign of lessening, the closing will probably be postponed for a fortnight beyond the date originally fixed. The awards which have been declared by the various juries have given general satisfaction to exhibitors. A farewell luncheon was given to-day by Mr Bosisto, the Victorian Commissioner • and, in his speech on the occasion, he expressed his complete satisfaction with the proposed scheme for a line of direct steamers between India and Australia, ami stated his belief that such a service would be likely to succeed.