Year: 1867




Legislative IssssiOn-The Luxembourg


Question and Treaty OF London.


THE HAGUE, Sept. l6.-The legislative session
was opened at l P. M. to-day by the King of
Holland in person, with speech from the
throne. His Majesty said:-


Gentlemen:-It is always with true pleasure
that / open the Legislative session. The ac-
compishment of this task is doubly agreeable
to me to-day, when have satisfactory commu-
nications to make to you upon the situation of
the country.


The dissolution of the ties which united one
of our provinces to Germany, effected during
the past year, has since obtained international
sanction by the London treaty OF May1l last.


l entertain the hope that when experience
shall have proved the harmle mlessness of the works
executed in the Eastern Scheldt, our relations
with Belgium Will more and more acquire
character of reciprocal friendship.


/ am glad to be able TO announce to you that
we continue to entertain the best relations with
all other foreign powers.


Although it is agreeable to allude to the praise.
worthy manner in which the army and navy
acquit themselves in their duties, find myself
nevertheless, forced to ask your assistance for
the purpose OF giving some extentio1 to our re.
gular forces In the meantime care will be
taken to drill the National Guard SO far as the
existing laws permit.


Measures ore being adopted to subdue, with
the aid of Providence the epidemic that mas
again appeared in some localities of our country.
The efforts made to eradicate the cattle plague
have been crowned with success. For long
time past only a few sporadic cases of this cpl
Zootic malady have been observed


DurIpg the year that has elapsed public and
private education has continued to form the
object of my careful attention. You will immc-
diately be invited to discuss the bill upon uni
versity education. A bill intended to tighten
the burden imposed upon the periodical press
by the stamp duty will also be laid before you.


Commerce, navigation, and trade are in
fou 10 nm xuill N ocxn fO ayy-
anime new arrangements for the veridcdtions of
weights and measures, and bill upon the regu
lation of the pawnbroking system.


The harvest generally has been good, but the
products o. maritime fisheries have been less
abundant The works upon the State railways
are being actively carried on, and the compile
ton of some of them will not be long delayed.
Two new lines, executed by private enterprise,
will soon be opened to the public. II the pre-
sent estimates are realized, the revenue will
suffice during the current year for the require
ments of the public SERVICE and to continue the
works upon the State railways without there
being necessity to resort to extraordinary
measures.


The bill respecting the financial policy of the
Ministers, the bill regulating the Board of Con-
troll over the State finances, with certain bills
intended to simplify the levy of the succession
duties, will subsequently be laid before you.
Your delberation upon the bill for o new code
of criminal procedure will facilitate the intro
duction of the new judicial organization. With
the same object, | shall cause bill for revising
the judicial districts TO be Immediately brought
in.


You will also probably have the opportunity
of discussing a new bill upon the code of civil
procedure IN the course of the present session.
A measure upon consular jurisdiction, with
various bills relating to a partial revision of
the military criminal codes, will soon be CON-
municated to the chambers. An opportunity
will also be afforded you of taking into con-
sideration the organization of the State police.


The Numerous requirements and difference of
opinion with reference to colonial affairs have
not failed to exercise their influence upon the
situation of our possessions in the East Indies.
Ny first care will consequently be devoted to
the interest of the State in those countries,
avoiding everything which might compromise
public tranquility or excite the discomfort of
the native populations.


shall willingly lend my assistance Ito the
development OF agriculture and private enter
prise provided other interests are not compro-
missed thereby. have heard with regret that
an earthquake has caused numerous deaths in
part of the island of Java. The situation of the
Dutch possessions in the West Indies continues
to be generally satisfactory, although the neces-
sity ofimporting laborers into Surinam is still
largely felt.


Other labors also await you. They will open
a vast field for your zeal for the interests en-
trusted to your charge. May they, under Gods
blessing contribute to the welfare of the coun.
try. now declare the ordinary session Of the
States General open.