Forecast of the Queen's Speech

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2078, 12 February 1898, Page 2

Forecast of the Queen's Speech

■ The Queen’s Speech at the opening of Parliament will state that. friendly relations amongst the Powers- have been, maintained, and will" express, recognition of the services of the Concert of the Powers in the settlement of difficulties arising out of the Turcp-Grecianj war, and a hope of a satisfactory settlement of the Cretan trouble. Thesplendid valour and loyalty of the-. British and native troops engaged in the campaign on the Indian frontierwill be acknowledged 1 , and the futurepoliey with regard to the frontier defined. References will also be made tothe Indian famine and the plague"; tothe treaty concluded wi h the King of Abyssinia, and to the West Indian sugar commission, a grant, in aid of the; sugar growers being indicated. The" hope will be expressed that the coming International Conference -in be held in Belgium to discuss the sugar bounties question, will result satisfactorily. An increase in. the Army expenditure will be foreshadowed, and the reinforcing of General Sir H. Kitchener in the Soudan explained, an announcement being, made that the advance of the Anglo-Egyptain army will be resumed at the first [ opportunity. The Speech will make no reference to the position in Chips. , The measures to be introduced during the session will include Bills dealing with the questions of local government in Ireland, Army reorganisation* London municipalities, the law of evidence, Scotch private Bills procedure* vaccination, London University, the management of prisons, secondary education, Church patronage, adulteration of food and drugs, limited liability companies, agricultural holdings, and the mercantile marine fund. Mr J. L. Walton, Liberal member for Leeds, will move an Opposition amendment challenging the Governments’ Indian frontier policy, especially with reference to the retention of Chitral.