The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-20
II X H / q N.
Meeting of Parliament.
The Queens aneech.

LONDON, March 19.-Parliament reassembled
Today; Shortly after opening the members of
the House OF Commons were summoned to
the chamber Of Peers, to hear the Queens
speech. 1t was as follows:
My Lords and Gentlemen:-
L recur to your advice at the earliest period
permitted by the arrangements consequent up-
on the retirement of the late administration
My foreign relations continue most friendly,
and shall not fail to exercise the influence
arising from these cordial relations for the
maintenance of European peace and faithful
observance of International obligation
The marriage CT my son is at once source of
happiness to myself and pledge of friendship
between two great empires.
The Ashantee war has terminated in the cap
tivity and destruction of the capitol, and nego-
tiations, which ! trust may lead to more sat
isfactory condition of affairs, than hitherto
The courage, discipline and endurance of my
forces, and the energy of the expedition, brill.
iantly maintained unoer the most trying cir
cumstances, the Evolutionary reputation Of the
English army.
deeply regret that drought has affected the
most pOpulOuS province of the Indian empire
and produced extreme scarcity in some parts,
amounting to actual famine, over an area in
habited by many millions. have directed the
Governor General of India to spare no cost in
striving to mitigate this terrible calamity
Gentlemen of the House OF Commons:
The estimates for the expenditures during the
coming financial year will be forthwith SUBJ
mitted to you.
My Lords and Gentlemen:
The delay and expense attending the transfer
of land in England has long been felt to be a
reproach to our law, and a serious obstacle to
dealings in real property. | trust that the
measures which will now be submitted for your
consideration, will be found calculated to re-
move much of the evil which is complained Of
You will probably be of the opiuion that the
Encouragement of the judcation aud the blend
ing of the administration of law and equity,
which were effected in England by the enact
ment of the last session, ought to be extended
to Ireland. You will be asked 70 devote part
of your time to the accomplishment of this OBJ
ject. The greater part of these changes are in.
applicable to the tribunals in Scotland, but you
will be invited to consider the most satisfactory
mode OF bringing the procedure upon Scottish
appeals into harmony with the recent LegSla-
ture Among other measures relating specially
to Scottish interests, a bill commencing the law
relating to land rights, aud facilitating the
transfer of land will be laid before you.
Serious differences have arisen and remon-
strances have been made by large classes of the
community as to the working OF a recent act af-
fecting the relationship between master and
servant, of act of 1871, dealing with offences
connected with trade and of the laws Of con-
spiracy. On these subjects am DESTROYS that
before attempting fresh legislation, you
should lie in possession of ali the national facts
and of the precise question in controversy. For
this purpose, L have issued by royal commission
of Inquiry into the state and working OF the
present laws, with view to their early amend
ment if found necessary. A bill will be intro
duced dealing with such parts of acts regulat-
ing the sale of intoxicating liquors as have CIV
en- rise to complaints, and appear to deserve
the interference of Parliament.
Your attention will also be directed to the
laws affecting friendly provident societies,
These matters will require grave consideration.
pray the Almighty to guide your deliberations.
In the House of Lords the address in reply
to speech from the throne was moved by Mar
quis Lothair and seconded by Earl Cardigan.
An interesting political debate followed
The address, which is a mere echo of royal
speech, was then adopted without amendment.
In the House of Commons there was very
full attendance, and the galleries were crowded
with SPECTATORS. Mr. Disrael on entering the
ahamber, was receivee with triumphant cheers
by his supporters.
Mr. Anderson gave notice that on the 31st
inst he would call attention to the fact that
British subjects had not yet received compensa-
ton for their losses in accordance with the pro-
visions of the Treaty of Washington.
An address in response to the Queens speech
was adopted, and the House adjourned.