LATEST ENGLISH NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 33, 7 February 1880, Page 2

LATEST ENGLISH NEWS.

London, February 5. Parliament was opened. to , day by the Queen,-who read her speech from the.Throne. She said foreign relations were friendly, and prospects .were of a pacific nature, though much remains to be done to repair "the disordered state of affairs'in i Turkey. The unsettled condition of affairs in Afghanistan renders the recall of the troops impossible at present, but the principle previously adopted by the Government is •unchanged. The Government have, determined to maintain a strong frontier, and desire ,to maintain friendly relations with the rulers and people of Afghanistan. It is hoped that an African Confederation will soon be brought about. The speech refers to the measures of the Irish Relief Bill, which provides for advances from the Church surplus; and hopes to resume the criminal, code, bankruptcy and law bills, enlarging powers of owners of settled land, and to simplify, the system of conveyance. Feb. 6. The homeward English mails via Brindisi were delivered to-day. ■ . . The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £15,812,560.' ! In the House of Commons notice has been given of an amendment to the address in reply re the neglect of Irish affairs. The amendment of the land laws is also demanded. _ Calcutta, February 6. - General Roberts telegraphs that only 'those who attacked the British Presidency and committed murder have been executed.