EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 200, 29 April 1848, Page 3

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

Tub new Parliament was opened ou 16th November, by Commission. On the 21st, the Commons were summoned to the bar of the House of Lords, and in a few moments the Speaker, attended by a large number of the members, appeared. The M«rquu of Lansdowne read the Royal speech, as follow* :— My Lords and Gentlemen.— Her Majesiy has ordered us to declare to you the causes which have induced her to call Parliament together at the present time. Her Majesty has seen with great concern the distress which has for some time prevailed among the commercial classes. The prospects of tfaiie were at one period aggravated by a general feeling of distrust and alarm. Her Maj.sty tor the purpose of restoring confidence, authorised her ministers to recommend to the directors of the £ank of England a course of proceedings suited to 6uch an emergency. Tin* coune might have led to an infringement of tlir law. Her Majesty has great satiifact ion in being able to inform you that the law has not been infringed— that ihe alarm has subsided — and tl>at the pressure on the bank and commercial interest hus been mitigated. The abundant harvest with which this country has bean bleised has alleviated the evils which always acco.npany a want ot employment in the manufacturing districts. Her Majesiy has, however, to lament the recurrence of severe dUtrtss in Ireland, owing to the scarcity of the uiual food of the people. Her Majesty trusts that this distress will be materially relieved by (he exertions which have been made to carry into effect the law of last session for the relief of the destitute. Her Majesty has learned with satisfaction that landed proprietors have taken advantage of th c means placed at their disposal, by the liberality of Parliament for the improvement of land Her Majesty laments that in tome countifs in Ireland, atrocious crime* have been committed, and a •pirit of insubordination hat manifested itself, leading to an organized resistance to legal rights. The Loi d-Lieutenant has employed with vigour and energy the means which the law places at hit disposal to detect offenders and to prevent a repetition of offences. Her Mnjesty feels it, however, to be her duty to her peaceable and well-disposed subject* 10 ask the assistance of Parliament in taking further precautions against the perpetration of crime in certain counties of Ireland. Her Majesty views with the deepest anxiety and interest the present condition of Ireland, and she lecommends to the coniideration of Parliament meant which, with due regard to the rights of property, may advance the social condition of the people, and tend to the permanent improvement of that part of the United Kingdom. Her Majesty hat teen with great concern the breaking out ot civil war in Switzerland. Her Majctty is in communication with the allies on the subject, and has expressed her readiness to me, in concert with them, her friendly influence for the purpose of securingto the Swiss Confederation the blessings of peace.

Her Mnjesty looks with confidence to the maintenance of the general peace of Europe. Her Mnjesty has concluded, with the republic of JSucador, a treaty for the suppression of the slave market. Her Majesty has given directions that the treaty should be laid before you. Gentlemen of the House of Commons. — Her Majesty has given directions that the estimates for the next year should be prejmired, fo r the purpose of bein* laid before you. They will be framed with a careful regard to the exigiences of the public service. My Lords and Gentlemen. Her Majesty recommends to the consideration of Parliament the kws which regulate the navigation of the United Kingdom, with a view to consider whether any change can be adopted which will without danger to our maritime strength, promote the commercial and colonial interests of the empire Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint a commission to report on the best means of promoting the bealih of the metropolis, and Her Majesty graciously recommends your earnest attention to such means as will be laid before you relating to the sanatory reform. Her Majesty has deeply sympathised with the aufferings which afflict the labouring classes in the manufacturing districts of Great Britain, and in many parts of Ireland . and Her Majesty has observed with admiration the patience with which the sufferings have been generally borne. The distress wh'di prevailed among the commercial classes has affected many important branches of the revenue, but her Majesty trusts the time is not tar distant when, under thr. blessing ot Divine Providence* the commerce and industry of the United Kingdom will have resumed their wantoo. activity.

Military Force in Ireland —The following is the official return of the present military force in Ireland : — Cavalry — 2d Regiment of Dragoon Guards, Cionmel and Newbridge ; 6th Dtagoon Guardi, Dundalk 5 J»t Dragoons (orßoyuls), Calnr; 2d Dragoons, Athlone ; 4th Dragoons, Dublin; ijth Dragoons (Ennukiilen), Newbridge ; 7th Hutsarii, Dublin and Drogheda j Bth Hussars, Ballincollig ; 13 Light Dragoons, Longford and Dublin; 1 7th Lancers, Dublin. Infantry— 2d Regiment of Foot, Athlone ; 3d Regiment (buffo), Dublin and Naas ; 6th Regiment, 2d Battalion, fcermoy ; 7th Regiment, Depot Company, Dublin; 13th Kegiment, Birr ; 16th Depot Company, Yougnal; 19th Regiment, Tabtlebar ; 26' th Regiment Butterant ; 34th Regiment, Depot Company, Waterford ; 38th Regiment, Depot Company, Boyle; 40th Regiment, Gitway; iUt Regiment, Mnllingar and Clare Castie;44th Regiment, Ist Battalion, Newry, 2d Battalion, Cork ; 47ih Kegiment, Cionmel ; 48th Regiment, Enniskillen ; 49th Regiment, Dublin ; 55th Regimen t.Templtiinore ; 59, h Regiment, Templemore; 64th Regiment, Limerick , 66th Regiment, Depot Company, Cork ; C7th Regiment Ist and 2ud Battalions, Cork ; 68th Regiment, Mullingar ; 70th Regiment, Fermoy ; 73d Regiment, Depot Company, Birr; 74th Regiment, Belfast ; 75ih Regiment, Dublin ; 77th Regiment, Depot Companies, Nenagh ; 79th Regiment, Ddpot Companies, Mulingar; BSd Regiment, Kilkenny; 85. h Regiment, Dublin; 88th Regiment, Depot Company, Tralee; 92d Regiment Dublin and Limeiick; 95th Regiment, Depot Companies, N»is. Royal Artillery — 15 compauies, and 6 troops ot Hone Artillery. Besides the above are the embodied battalions of Cheliea Out-pensioners and the local armed force. Several regiments are under orders for the disturbed diitricti in Ireland, and a portion of the A division of the MetiopoliWn Police; which wil make an armed force of irom 4j,000 to 4 5,Q00 men. — The Times, December 15.