Prorogation of the English Parliament.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3371, 11 October 1879, Page 4

Prorogation of the English Parliament.

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH,

Parliament was prorogued by Commission, and the Queen's Speech was read as follows :—

I am happy to be able to relieve you from your laborious duties. My relations with other Powers continue to be cordial, and my influence with them will be employed in maintaining the obligations imposed by treaties and in promoting and consolidating a general peace. The territorial arrangements stipulated in the Treaty of Berlin have been faithfully executed, and a delineation of the new frontiers is nearly completed; the Balkan Peninsula has been evacuated by the Russians, accordance with the treaty, and under the unanimous sanction of the Signatory Powers, suitable provision has been made for the Government of the Ottoman province of Eastern Boumeiia, and I have with great satisfaction given my approval to the election of. Prince Alexander, of Battenburg, as Prince of Bulgaria. The calamities inflicted by the late war have hitherto precluded the adoption of those reforms by the Ottoman Government, of which it has acknowledged the necessity; but I hare urged, and shall continue to urge, the importance of a timely compliance with its engagements in this respect. At the suggestion of my Government, in conjunction with that of France, a change has taken pace in the Viceroyalty of Egypt, which the past misgoverament of that country had rendered necessary. The treaty concluded with the Ameer of Afghanistan, which was laid before you, happily terminated the war which his predecessor compelled me to undertake, and friendly relations with that State are re-established, a guarantee for peace and safety given, and the frontiers of India are strengthened. s The ability displayed in this war by those in command of my troops, both British and natives, and the gallantry and endurance of the troops themselves, well deserved the thanks bestowed on them by both Houses of Parliament. My acknowledgements are especially due to many native princes •who made offers of assistance, as well as to those whose forces were actually brought into tho field, and I recognise in such zealous .co-operation their attachment and good- will to the Indian Empire Since I last addressed you my forces have been engaged in serious conflicts with a most powerful native ruler iv South Africa, and while I have pleasure in thanking them for vindicating the honour of the British arms, I must mourn the,loss of many a precious life. I trust that the decisive success which recently attended their operations may lead to an early establishment of peace on a good basis, aud my subjects in that part of the world—thus being relieved from a danger to which they have hitherto been exposed, may readily join in such an arrangement as will best secure their safety and prosperity in the future. By the Army Discipline Act you have lor iiie first time placed upon the Statute Book iv a complete code the laws relating to service iv the army and other military forces. You have arranged, iv a clear and comprehensive form, tho provisions ibr tho due maintenance of discipline,;

you hare an improved system under which enlistments takes place ; and you have amended regulations under which reserves can be called out. Acts, 100, providing for tho appointment of a public prosecutor aud for ameudini; the luw relating to the summary jurisdiction of magistrates will, I trust, greatly improve the administration, of tbo criminal- law. The alteration which you ha«"e made in the law relating to Banking and Joiut Stock Companies is well calculated to conduce to the prosperity of Uiis important portion of our mercantile and commercial system. The depressed condition of tho agricultural interest has naturally engaged your attention, and I have had much pleasure in complying with an Address of the House of Commons, requesting me to appoint a Commission to inquire iuto the causes to which the depression is owing, and how far it can be remedied by the Legislature. I observe with satisfaction that you havo been able to consider the important subject of education iv Ireland, and that you have agreed to a measure which will form a fitting supplement to the enactment of last session as to intermediate education. The primary education of a country cannot but be stimulated by the careful provisions made for improving the poiition of teachers, and the bill you have pnsperl for University eduration will I trust supply what i.< needed lor the advancement, of learning in tlu> higher bi'u»cbei.