OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 916, 11 February 1882, Page 3

OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

London, Feb. 7. Parliament was opened today The Queen’s speech was read by the Lord Chancellor. The fallowing is a summary of it :—The approaching marriage of Prince Leopold with Princess Hewen of Waldeck is formally announced. The relations of Great Britain with Foreign Powers ar« stated to continue cordial and haiThonious. Reference is made to the cession of Thessaly by Turkey to Greece having been honorably executed. Her Majesty will use her influence to maintain the status quo in Egypt in a spirit favorable to the good government and the prudent development of the institutions of the country. The rosto ration of peace beyond the Norths West frontier, _and internally the plentiful seasons which have been experienced and the increase of revenue, had enabled the resumption of public works in India. expressed that the Transvaal Convention will work favorably, though hostilities have been resinned in Basutoland, and affairs in |hat country are still unsettled. Nego-

tiations with France in regard to a Commercial Treaty will be continued at

an early date. The commerce of the country is improving ; the mildness of the season is favorable to farming, and the prospects of trade generally are hopeful. The state of affairs in Ireland has improved, and crime is diminishing. The special powers provided for the suppression of disorder in Ireland has been largely employed, Feb. 8,

Mr Gladstone gave notice of motion to amend the procedure of Parliament so as to provide that cloture shall be yotable by a bare majority of the House, provided two hundred members support, or less than forty oppose the motion for its being pronounced. A motion by Mr Gray, for an enquiry into the circumstances attending the arrest and imprisonment of Irish members was rejected, Mr Bradlaugh was advancing towards the table, when Sir Stafford Nonhcote rose and moved that he should not he allowed to take the oath. Sir Vernon Harcourt thereupon moved the previous question and spoke at some length advising the House to allow Mr Bradlaugh to take the oath subject to a final decision of the question in the Law Court. Mr Bradlaugh then, speaking from the Bar of the House, solemnly declared that the oath would be binding upon him. A lentghy debate ensued and finally the previous question was rejected by a majority of 59 in a full House, Sir Vernon Harcourt’s motion was supported by Mr Gladstone and other members of the Government. After the rejection of the previous question. Sir Stafford Northcote’s motion refusing Mr Bradlaugh permission to take the oath was adopted. Mr Bradlaugh then withdrew from the Chamber and subsequently lodged a protest against the decision come to.