London.

Manawatu Herald, 3 February 1900, Page 2

London.

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. Tho Queens's Speech makes reference to the unusual absence from "•■he political arena of seriously contentious legislation or of demands for extensive domestic reforms, Grreat Britain's relations with other Powers, it is added, continue friendly. Kegret is expressed that the nation has been forced into war with the Boers Republics in South Africa, and her Majesty deplores that so many valuable llve3 have had to be sacrificed in the maintenance of British rights and prestige. Reference is made to the loyalty, patriotism and devotion to the interests of the Empire displayed by all the subjects of the Queen since the crisis arose. The action of the colonies, and of the native chiefs in India, is specially mentioned in term3 of appreciation. On the subject of Australian federation a promise is given that the Government will introduce a Dill to give effect to the aspiration of the colonies toward union. An intention to increase the personnel of the army to a large extent is iidbated, and it is announced that further provision will be made in the Naval Estimates Ijv costal cb'iMsa. M3nr,r'33 a-ra to bo taken to safeguard the electoral rights of the volunteers a id members of the Army "> A-?Ves wha have left England to : -i^'t in the war. T j satisfactory settlement of the Samoan question is mentioned, and the Speech laments the ravages of the buboaic plague in India. The measures to be brought forwavd include the Limited Liability Companies Act Amendment Bill, a Bill to relieve the payers of tithes and rent in Ireland, provision for aid to secondary education in England and Wales, an amendment of the agricultural tenancy system, and legislation as to the factories the housing of the working classes," money-lending and the Scottish ecclessiastical assessment question. Sir Michael Hicks-Bsach (Chancellor of the Exchequen), in addressing the House of Commons, indignantly denied an insinuation by Mr Sydney Buxton, M.P. for Poplar, that the Treasury had stinted the expenditure in connection with the preparations for the war. Both Press and public are i indignant at the recriminatory and 1 partisan tone of the debate, and have appealed for a cessation of party politics during a time of crisis. At the opening of Parliament the j Queen's Speech, in referring to other ! nations' naval preparations, expressed confidence that Parliament would not relax its solicitude for the efficiency of the navy and coastal defences.