The record-union., 1898-02-09

Victoria and the tWenty-SlXth or the
United Kingdom, was opened by COM
mission at = o'clock this afternoon with
the customary ceremonies.
The Queens speech was as follows:
My Lords and Gentlemen: My rela-
tons with the other Powers continue
friendly. The negotiations between the
Sultan of Turkey and the King of
Greece have been brought to a conclu-
sion by the signing of a treaty of peace,
under which the territorial relations be-
tween the two Powers are practically
unchanged.
THE question of the autonomous Gov
eminent of the Island of Crete has oc-
capied the attention of the Powers. The
difficulty of arriving at a unanimous
agreement on some points has unduly
protracted the deliberat tons, but / hope
these obstacles will before long be sur
mounted.
Intelligence, which is apparently
trustworthy, was received of the inten-
ton of the Khalifa to advance against
the Egyptian army in the Soudan, and
1 have therefore given directions that
contingent Of British troops should
be dispa tched TO Berber to the assist
anoe Of his highness, the Khedive.
II have conducted a treaty of friend
ship and commerce with his majesty, the
Emperor of Abyssinia.
The report of the committee I APP
pointed in December, 1896, to inquire in
to the condition of certain of my West
Indian colonies, has conclusively estab-
lished the existence of severe depression
III those colonies, caused by the heavy
fall in the price of sugar which is main
ly attributable to the reduction in the
cost of production and the great increase
in its extent of recent years But the
fall has been artificially stimulated by
the system of bounties to producers
and manufacturers of beet sugar main
tanned in many Europeon States. There
are signs of growing opinion in those
States that this system is injurious to
the general interests of their population
and communications are now in progress
between my Government and the Gov
ernments principally concerned. with
view to a conference on the subject,
which / trust may result in the abolish
nent of the bounties. In the meantime
measures will be proposed to YOU for the
relief of the immediate necessities of the
West Indian colonies for encouraging
other industries and for assisting those
engaged in sugar cultivation to tide over
tie present crisis.
ION the northwestern borders of my
Indian Empire an organized outbreak of
fanatcisnl, which spread in the summer
along the frontier, induced many of the
tribes to break their engagements with
my Government, to attack the military
posts in their vicinity and even to invade
Ia cd iSts nf Of 7
was compelled to send expeditions
against the offending tribes for the pun
ishment of the outrages and to insure
peace in the future. A portion of the
Afridi tribes have not yet accepted the
terms offered them. but elsewhere the
operations have been brought to a very
successful close. The courage and en-
durance exhibited by my troops, British
and native, have overcome almost in
superable difficulties in the country
which they We're operating. but / have to
depiore the loss of many valuable lives,
both amongst my own troops and those
whose services were voluntarily and 10y
ally placed at my disposal by the native
servants in my Indian empire.
Il rejoice at the fact that there is
reason to anticipate a prosperous year,
both for agriculture and commerce,
throughout India.
Gentlemen Of the House of Com
mons: The estimates which will be
laid before you have been framed with
the utmost desire, for economy, but in
view of the enormous ornaments now
maintained by other nations, the duty
of providing for the defense of the
Empire involves an expenditure beyond
former precedent"
Dealing with the proposed legislation,
the speech from the throne says that
measures will be introduced for a sys-
tenn Of local Government in Ireland
substantially similar TO Great Britains,
TO secure the increased strength and
efficiency of the army. amend the pres
ent conditions of military service. to
enable accused people to testify in their
own defense to facilitate the creation
of municipalities in London. and to pre-
vent recognized abuses in connection
NTH church patronage.
4 Previous to the reassembling of Par
lliament the usual party of beef-eat-
sers. accompanied by a number of Off
Gals and headed by Chief of Police
Horley. made the customary search for
the lmitators of Guy Fawkes, formally
ascertalning that the vaults of the
houses of Parliament did not contain
anything inimical to the safety of the
members.
The Irish Parliamentary party met in
committee room No. 10, Timothy Healy
and his supporters, who abstained from
attending the party meeting previous
to the last session Of Parliament, wer-
present John Dillon was reelected
Chairman and the Whips and Secre-
tares We're also reelected.
On the resumption of business in the
House of Commons this afternoon the
new members took their seats.
On seasonal motion that peers and
Lord Lieutenants should not interfere
in elections, Right Hon. James Lowther.
Conservative member OF the Island OF
Thanet, division of Kent, moved TO
amend by emitting the word peers"
Sir Wilfred Lawson, bart Radical
member for the Coekermouth division
of Cumberland, seconded the motion.
Mr. Ralfour admitted that it was true
the House had no power to enforce the
order, adding that unless invited by the
opposition leader, Sir Vernon Harcourt,
to adopt another course. he would vote
against the amendment.
The amendment was negatived by 80
to 200 votes.