Year: 1867

pendture calculated to improve the con-
diton of my soldiers, and to lay the
found. lion Of my efficient army OF re-
serves


Lords and gentlemen, your attention
will again be called TO the state Of the
representation Of the population in Par
lament, and | trust your deliberations,
conducted in spirit Of iirmness, mode
ration and mutual forbearance, may
lead to the adoption Of measures which,
without undue disturbance Of the bal
anee Of political power, shall freely ex-
tend the elective franchise.


The frequent occurrence Of disagree
ment between the employers Of labor
and their workmen, causing, much pri.
vate suffering and public loss and occa.
sionally leading, as is alleged, to acts Of
outrage and violence, has induced me to
issue commission to inquire into and
report on the organization Of trades
union and other societies whether of
workingmen or employers, with power
to suggest any improvement of the laws
for their benefit. Application will be
made to you for parliamentary powers
which will be necessary to make the in
quiry effective.


/ have directed bills TO be laid before
you for extension TO other trades Of ben
efcial provisions of factory acts espe-
cially reported by royal commission in
the employment of children and for bet
ter regulation, according to the principle
of these acts, of workshops where wo-
men and children are largely employed.


The condition of the mercantile ma
rine has attracted my serious attention.
Complaints are made that the supply of
seamen is deficient, and provisions for
their health and discipline on board are
imperfect Measures will be submitted
to you with view to increase the eff
cheney of this important service. have
observed with satisfaction the relaxation
recently introduced in the navigation
laws of France. have expressed to the
Emperor my readiness to submit
to Parliament proposal for extinction
on equitable terms of the exemption
from local charges on shipping which
are still enjoyed by limited number of
individuals in British ports, and the
French government have in anticipation
of this step already admitted British
ships to the advantages of the new law.
A bill upon this subject will forthwith
be laid before you.


A bill will also be submitted for MAX
ing provision for arrangement of affairs
of railroad companies which are unable
to meet engagements.


Measures will be submitted for improv-
ing the management of the sick and all
other poor in the metropolis, and for the
redistribution of some of the charges for
relief therein. Your attention will also
be called to the amendment of the law of
bankruptcy, to the consolidation of the
courts of probate, and of divorce and
admiralty, and to the means of dispen-
sing with greater dispatch and frequency
of increasing business in superior courts
of common law and at the Assizes.


The relations between landlord and
tenant in Ireland have engaged my
attention, and bill will be laid before
you, which, without interfering with the
rights of property, will offer direct en-
to occupiers of land to
improve their holdings and provide
a simple mode of obtaining compensa-
ton for permanent improvement.


] recommend to you a careful consid-
Grafton of these and other measures
which will be brought before you, and /
pray that your labors may, under the
blessings of Providence, conduce TO the
of the country and the hap
piness of my people.