The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-01-31

London, January 3s-1ne most
rare event Of a London winter, q
clear sunny day, favored the royal
procession 10 Westminster touay
where King Edward opened parlia-
ment with the same ceremonies that
nave been observed for centuries.
King Edward and Queen Alexandra
rode from Buckingh ham Palace to tho
houses Of parliament in glided
coach Of state, drawn by eight white
horses.
= thousand officials including
peers. members Of the house Of COM
mons. bishops, judges and diplomats
1Ied the cnainher Of lords when a
fanfare Of trumpets at o'clock an
nounced the entry Of the stats pro-
cession
King Edward read the speech from
the throne. Queen Alexandra was
seated on a chair OF state at his
right, the prince and princess Of
Wales were on his left, and he was
surrounded by group of state OFF,
GERS
Premier Sir Henry Campbell
Zimmerman. whose health is still fee
Bile was the only cabinet minister
absent.
Ills majesty, IN his speech refer
red in conventional words to the visit
Of the German emperor, which ne
said could not foil to confirm the
friendly relations existing between
the two powers; to the death of King
Oscar of Sweden, ana to the conclus
ion of the Russian agreement. Act
ing In the spirits of this agreement
in spite of the complications in Per
sia, the two governments had main
tanned a policy Of peace.
Referring to the peace conference
n OF Nhn 10 1on l1n
king said:
1.-THE various INSTRUMENTS an
nexed to the final act Of that confer
cnce show the progress that has
been made. and they are receiving the
attentive consideration of my govern
ment. One OF the most important Of
these instruments establishes the
great principle of an international
court of appeal in prize cases. My
government is considering the ques-
ton of inviting representatives of the
leading maritime nations to attend
conference In London in the course
of next autumn with a view of COM
ing to an understanding on certain,
important points OF international law
for the guidance Of this court.
Negotiations are being conducted
with the United States" the king
continued. "fOr an agreement to re-
fer to the international court of ar
bitration at The Hague the questions
pending between the two governments
which relate to the New Foundland
fisheries Tt Is hoped that by this
friendly procedure n long standing
source Of difficulty may be satisfac-
tOrily removed.
The difficulty which had arisen
respecting Japanese immigration in
to Canada has been settled on terms
agreed upon between the respective
governments"
In the supplementary speech to the
house of commons his majesty an
nOunced the bills that are to be
brought in. These are the licensing
and education acts for England anf
Wales, g bill regulating the hours of
labor in the coil mines. bill 9or
h0usinc the working classes, a bill 20
amend the system of the valuation
of proDerty for taxation In England
md Wales. the Irish university btlt
and the irish land purchase bill. AMI
the Scottish land hill which failed NJ
me last session Of parliament
Tere is a we'll defined feeling or
disapDointment in the house of com
mons among yhe 1rSnitter1af sup
oorters that the cabinet has not been
more definitely radical nits propo-
sails.
Mr. Baifour. leader of the oppoS-
ition party in the course Of the ne-