The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-08-22 00:00:00

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH,

The Po-called "Queens Speech" read Iby the
Lord Chancellor, on Tuesday in the House of Peers,
is a comprehensive document, and contains matter of
a more interesting character than is the case with the
majority of formal utterances from the Throne. At
the outset the country is informed that Great Britain
has neither a big or a little war on hand, and that Her
Majesty looks forward confidently to the maintenance
of friendly relations with all foreigns Powers. The
"differences unfortunately existing between the Porte
and its Christian subjects in Bosnia and Herzegovina "
are next referred to. Regret is expressed that the
efforts made for the restoration of peace in those
provinces, and also in Servia and Montenegro, have
not been attended with success; and a pledge is given
to the effect that "should a favourable opportunity
present itself, the Queen will be ready, in concert with
her allies, to offer her good offices for the purpose of
meditation between the contending parties, bearing in
mind alike the duties imposed by treaty obligations
and those which arise from consideration of hiunanity
and policy." This paragraph is carefully worded, and
does infinite credit to the Earl of Beaconsfield, by
whom, in all probability, it was written. It is hoped
that the differences which hay,' arisen between
England 3n.l the United States on the question of
extradition may be speedily adjusted on an equitable
basis. In the interest of justice, it is encouraging to
learn that it is probable "a new arrangement may
soon be arrived at by which this matter will be placed
on a satisfactory foating." The safe return of the
Prince of Wales from India is alluded to in terms of
gratitude, and a belief is expressed that his visit has
tended to strengthen and confirm the principles of
loyality in that land of many nations. Inference to
the assumption by the Queen of the title of Empress
is then adroitly made, and Her Majesty avails herself
. 4 the occasion to state that she feels an earnest solici-
tude for the happiness ..f India. l'he rowdy Malayan
pirates are wimonWied in emphatic terms, and the
rulers .4 native States are advised "to cheerfully
accept the recommendations and assistance of English
officers for the better gevernment of their territories."
Having looked out upon the world and surveyed man•
kind from China to Peru, the Queen, as usual, thanks
her Faithful Commons for the liberal supplies voted
for the public service. Viewed in the light of a lively
expectation of favour to come. an.l the probable demand
for more money next year, the stereotype phrase possesses
peculiar significance. The various measures passed
luring - the Session are then enumerated. The .Mer•
chant Shipping Act, although not everything that
could be desired, is certainly to be regarded as a step
in the right direction. From Lord Sandon's Education
Act great things are expected, and the Speech declares
that the measure "will complete the work on
which successive Parliaments have for many years
been engaged, by securing a due attendance at school
of the children for whose benefit the means and the
machinery of education have been so largely supplied."
The preservation of commons and open spaces in or
near large towns has long been regarded as of the
highest importance to the public health. The Bill
amending the Enclosure Acts may therefore be looked
upon as a boon, for which the public have every
canoe to be thankful. The Pollution of Rivers Bill,
which was saved as it were by the skin of its teeth, is
by no means perfect. The changes effected in the
system of judicature are spoken of with approval, and
from the provisions of the Vivisection Act the best
results are expected as "providing safeguards against
painful experiments upon living animals.' The Speech
concludes with a reference to several measures which
were not passed in consequence of the pressure of
business. Something of the kind always happens at
the close of the session, but it is not often that
opinions are expressed from the Throne to the effect
that the Bills may judiciously be brought in again
next session and dealt with in an effectual manner.