Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-06
PARLIAMENT MEETS.
THE SPEECH OF THE QUEEN FROM
THE THRONE.
The Armenian Atrocities-The Sui
tnu's Promises-tgricuitu De-
prcssed-An Amendment Touching
Colonial Matters Moved.

convened to-day. In the speech from the
throne. the Queen said:
my Lords and Gentlemen:
MY relations with foreign powers re-
main friendly and upon a satisfactory
footing. An agreement has been conclud-
ed between my government and the
French republic for a settlement of the
frontier between the Colony OF Sierra
Leone and the neighboring French pos
sessions.
"I regret to say that the war between
China and Japan continues. have main
tanned close and cordial understanding
with the Powers interested IN those
regions. and shall lose no favorable OPP
portunlty to promote a peaceful termina-
ton OF the contest.
In consequences Of the reports which
have reached my government Of eNcesses
committed by Turkish troops regular and
irregular upon Armcnians In district OF
Asia-Mlnor, | have thought it right IN
conjunction with other powers. 20 make
representations to the Porte. The sultan
has declared his intention Of pun!shing
anv OF his officers or soldiers who are
a commission to conducr an investigation
on the spot Delegations from the Powers
which have consuls az ErZerOum accom-
pany the commission.
Gentlemen or the House Of Commons:
The estimates for the year VIII be laid
before YOU without delay.
MY Lords and Gentlemen:
II am happy 10 observe the striking
fact that I'm ireland offences OF All kinds
against the laws have sunk during inc
past year 20 the lowest level which has
hitherto been marked IN the official re-
cords Proposals will be submitted to
Won for remedying the defects which eN-
perience has brought to light in the work
ings Of the law governing landlord and
tenant in Ireland, and for dealing with
the cases Of certain cvicted tenants.
whose situation still constitutes n peril 10
social order.
GOVERNMENT MEASURES.
"a bill will be presented dealing with
the Church establishment I'm Wales. and
bills will also he laid before you having for
their object popular control ~ the liquor
traffic. the abolition Of the system OF
plural voting. and provision for the pay
ment of the charges Of returning officers
Of elections.
The commission appointed In 1893 TO
report as To the best means OF unifying
the government Of the metropolis has
presented It's report. and bill Will be
laid before you founded upon It's recOm-
! mendations.
Il regret that agriculture continues 10
be in a seriously depressed condition.
This subject IS still under the consider
alton Of the committee appointed in the
au,umn OF 1873. in the mean time pro-
posal viii be submitted ID YOU for fac.li-
| tating the construction OF light railways.
A measure. which, ! trust. VIII be- found
beneficial to the rural districts. Bjis
/ will he also presented for providing proper
! means Of conciliatiou in trade disputes,
and amending the factory acts. and You
will also be asked 60 consider measures
| for he completion Of system Of county
| government in Scotland. and further legis-
! lation In respect to the Crofter population
| In that country.
Il pray that the blessing OF Almighty
| God may rest upon you in your drdIJus
and responsible lahOrs."
| Mr. Balfour said ne was not disposed
TO make any comment upon that part OF
| the Queens speech dealing with foreign
| matters He believed that 1t would be
harmful to interfere with the government
! in their management of the details oi
such questions lie would say. however
that he depored the fact that The speech
J made no mention OF the navy. This was
! matter OF infinitely more impOrtanct
| tran any that had been touched upon IN
| the speech. and he was, therefore. sur
prlsed that no mention had been made OF
it
MOVED AN AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Charles T.. H. Vincent. the member
for Central Sheffield, called attention &
| the omission in the speech from th'
throne Of reference 10 colonial questions
! and especially those dealt with at th'
| intercolonial conference AZ Ottawa. IL
moved the following amendment. "Iha
the House desires huubiy 10 represent u
your Majesty that steps should be tdkei
to remove any statutory or treaty ob
stacles standing in the way OF any ar
rangement which may BE- desired IN IN
direction of custOms-union In diileren
parts of the empire
Mr.. Vincent insisted that his amend
ment did not refer to protection, bu
| only carried out the principle oi the de-
velopment Of trade within the empire.
Mr.. Augustus Frederick Godson, IN
member for Kidderminster. a Conserve
tive seconded the Amendment.
AIr. Sidney Charles BuXstock, replyin
for the government. said that the ques
tions discussed AZ the ottawa conforenc
had received careful attention. and ih
government intended q Introduce bi
To enable the Australasidn Colonies
enter into fiscal relations with eacn othei