The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1876-02-11 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE QUEEN' SPEECH.  MY LORDS AND G FNTLEMEN It is with lunch satisfaction that I again resort to the advice and assistance of my Parliament.  My relations with all foreign powers continue to be of a cordial character. _  The insurrectionary movement which during the last six months has been maintained in the Turkish provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and which the troops of the Sultan have up to the present time been unable to suppress, has excited the attention and interest of the Great European Powers, 1 have considered it my duty not to stand aloof from the efforts now being made by allied and friendly Governments to bring about a pacification of the disturbed districts, and I have accordingly, while respecting the independence of the Porte, joined in urging on the Sultan the expediency of adopting such measures of administrative reform. as may remove all reasonable cause of discontent on the part of his Christian subjects. I have agreed to purchase, subject to your sanction, the shares which belonged to the Khedive of Egypt in the Suez Canal ; and I rely with confidence on your enabling me to complete a transaction in which the public interests are deeply ilivolved. The representations which I addressed to the Chinese Government as to the attack made in the course of last year on the expedition sent from Burmah to the western provinces of China have been received in a friendly spirit. The circumstances of that lamentable outrage are now the subject of an inquiry, in which I have thought it right to request that a member of my diplomatic service should take part. I await the result of this inquiry in the firm conviction that it will be so conducted as to lead to the discovery and punishment of the offenders. Papers on all the above subjects will be laid before you. lam deeply thankful for the uninterrupted health which my dear son the Prince of \Vales has enjoyed during his journey through India. The hearty affection with which he has been received by my Indian subjects of all classes and races assures me that they are happy under my rule and loyal to my throne. At the time that the direct government of my Indian Empire was transferred to the Crown, no formal addition WAS made to the style and titles of the Sovereign. I have deemed the present a fitting opportbuity for supplying this omission, and a Bill upon the subject will ho presented to you. The humane and enlightened policy consist ently pursued by this country in putting an end to slavery within her own dependencies, and in suppressing the Slave Trade throughout the world, makes it important that the action of British national ships in the territorial waters of foreign states should be in harmony with those great principles. I have therefore given directions for the issue of a Royal Commision to in vire into all treaty engagements and other international obligations bearing upon this subject, and all instructions from time to time issued to my naval officers, with a view to ascertain whether any steps ought to be taken to secure for my ships and their commanders abroad greater power for the maintenance of the right of personal liberty. A Bill will be laid before you for punishing slave traders who are subjects of native Indian Princes.  The affairs of my Colonial Empire, the general prosperity of which has continued to advance, have received a large share of my attention. Papers of importance and interest will soon be in your hands, showing the proceedings with respect to a Conference of the South African Colonies and States.  The murder of a high officer of the Straits Settlements, whilst acting as resident in a neighbouring Malay State, and the disorder ensuing on that outrage, have demanded the interference ofs my troops. I trust that the operations, which have been ably and energetically conducted, though not without the loss of some valuable lives, have restored order and re-established the just influence and authority of this country.