Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-16
AGAIN LIN SESSION.
The Queens Speech Read in ParIia-
ment-Sie Says That Coercion
Has Been Successful.
The Document Proves to Be Com
mOnplace.
Tie Queens Speech.

My Lords and Gentlemen: I contin-
ue to perceive from all powers cordial as
/ surances of friendly sentiments as well as
of an earnest desire to maintain the
peace of all the world.
"My officers, in conjunction With those
of the emperor Of Russia, have completed
the demarcatiOn Of the Afghenistan
boundary in conformity with the terms
of the convention OF 1887. ] trust the
work thus concluded may tend to remove
the possibility OF misunderstanding be-
tween the two powers regarding their AS
ian possessions.
animated by desire to prevent an
efusion of blood, dispatched a mission
to the king of Abyssinia, with tho hope
Of dissuading him from engaging in war
with Italy. I deeply regret that my eff
forts were not successful.
"The deliberations of the conference
at Washington to adjust questions which
have arisen between Canada and America
are still progressing.
''The negotiations commenced in 1885
IN respect to the regulation of the Suez
canal have been brought to a conclusion,
SO far as the points Of difference between
myself and the French republic are con-
cerned.
II have also entered into an agreement
with France for the protection OF life
and property in the New Hebrides by a
joint naval commission.
1.-THE conference of delegates from the
powers interested in tho sugar industry,
summoned to meet in London in the au-
tumn to consider the possibility Of end
ing the injurious system of bounties, has
made considerable progress toward the
conclusion Of satisfactory arrangement.
"My Lords and Gentlemen: The
measures which at great i4bor you passed
last session for the benefit of Ireland
have been carefully carried into effect
during the period since elapsed. The
result of this legislation, so far as tested
by this short experience, is satisfactory.
Agrarian crime has diminished and the
power of coercive cOnspiracies half SEN
5ibly abated.
"Measure5 tending to develop the re-
sources of Ireland and to facilitate an in
crease in the number of proprie1ors of
soil will be laid before you.
Gentlemen Of the House Of Commons:
The estimates for services for 1888 which
we Will be laid before you have been
framed with due regard. for economy.
You will be asked to provide for the i'm
prOVement of the defense Of the ports
and cOaling stations, rendered urgently
necessary by the advance of military
science, and also to sanction an arrange
ment providing for a special squadron
to protect Australasian commerce the
cost Of which will be partially BONE by
the colonies.
'sYour attention will be invited to the
subject of local government in England.
Measures will be submitted ior dealing
with it in combination with proposal for
adjusting the relations between local and
imperial finance, and for mitigating the
burdens imposed upon rate-payers.
"The prospects of commerce arc mole
hopeful than any which I have been able
to point to in many years.
II deeply regret that there has been no
corresponding improvement observable
in the condition of agriculture. L COM
mend the interests of that great industry
to your attentive care, hoping that means
may be discovered to enable it to meet
more effectively the difficulties under
which it labors.
"You will be invited to consider legisla-
tive proposals for cheapening the transfer
of land, for modifying the procedure By
which the Inherent charge IS collected,
for promoting technical education, for
preventing undue preferences in rates
charged by railway companies on
foreign and domestic produce, for
remedyiug abuses in the formation
of companies under the limited
liability act, for amending the law of
liability of employers in case of accident,
for improving the positions of Scottish
universities, for regulating the borough
police of Scotland, and for diminishing
the cost of private bill legislation. In
these and all other efforts you may make
to promote the well-being of my people
pray you may be guided by the hand of
Almighty God"