The record-union., 1892-02-10
Special to the REcoRD-UN1ov

LONDON, Feb. 9.-Parlianent reasseo-
bled to-day. The Queens speech at the
opening OF the session was read. 1t ex-
presses her gratitude for the sympathy
OF the people in her late bereavement.
Among other things the message states
an agreement has been concluded with
the United States defining q mode by
which the disputes regarding the seal
hsheries in the Behring Sea are to be re-
lerred to arbitration. EngIand's reIa-
tlons with foreign Powers, the message
declares, continue friendly. Parliament
VIII be asked to pass upon numerous
measures, among which will be propo-
sals lor applying to Ireland the general
principles of the local government
already adopted in Great Britain, meas
ure for increasing the number of small
holdings in the agricultural districts of
Great Britain, a bill extending the adj
Yantages OF assisted education to Ireland.
ana scheme modifying the system of
procedure IN regard to private bills, so
1ar as 1t affects Scotland and Ireland.
proposals will also be submitted for i'm
proving the discipline of the established
church IN regard to moral offenses, re-
yIsln2 the existing agreements between
the government and the Bank of Eng
land, and amending the law with re-
spect to the liability of employers for
injuries sustained by employees
IN the house OF Lords this afternoon
Earl kimberly expressed surprise that
the Queens speech made no reference to
the dispute with France over the New
foundland affair.
Lord Salisbury said the present settle
ment Of the question was not due to the
aclon OF the Government, but to the
of Nlyrr "a
The absence of special reference in the
Queens speech to the order and prosper
lty prevailing in Ireland showed the con-
tidence Of the Government in the coun-
try's fitness for local self-government.
The fact that an Irish local government
bill was proposed implied that condi-
tlons now prevailed in Ireland which
justified the Government in giving that
country extended powers of local con-
troll With regard TO Egypt Lord Sails
bury said that after the sacrifices Great
Britain had made in connection with that
country he believed she would never
surrender her supremacy there to an
other power.
An address in reply to the speech Of
the throne, moved by Earl Dudley, was
passed. In the Commons this afternoon
Balfour, successor to the late William
henry Smith as Government leader, re-
celVed prolonged ovation from his
friends. He gave notice that he would
Introduce an Irish local government bill,
and would move on Thursday next that
Edward De Cobain, member for East Bel
fast, who is now a fugitive, be requested
to attend the House February 23d
Hodge moved the adoption of an adj
dress in reply to the Queens speech.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt ex-
pressed the sympathy of the opposition
for the royal family in their bereavement.
Next, he said, the opposition recognized
the merits of Balfour as the new leader,
and he believed Balfour would always
sustain the honor and privileges of the
House of Commons.
With regard To the Irish local govern
ment bill, he said it was a matter he
wished was carried out. If a genuine,
honest measure was promoted, the oppo-
sition would support it, but they could
not regard it a local government if only
some application of the county council
system was to be taken at settling the
question Of self-government. Harcourt
said Salisbury's recent speech at Exeter
about the Catholic regime IN Ireland
didn't promise well for the liberality of
the coming bill. Salisbury's remarks,
he declared, as unfounded historically as
they were unstatesmanlike in character
Baltour, in reply, said Harcourt had
distorted the meaning of the Exeter
speech. The proposals of the Ministers
would show that the Government had
confidence III Catholic majority.