Year: 1872

eemDled IN ,the OhAmber OF Peers, WherC
the speech Of the Queen, who was moi
present, was read by the Royal Commis
sioners. The following is the iull text: 4
!. Ny LOrSiS and Gentlemen: irs.a aas 20


The time has arrived when YOU MAY
properly relinquish the performance d
your arduops duties for o term Of repose
which has been shonorably earned by
your devoted asslduity, and IreIoice 10
Inform you that the controversy which
had arisen between my Government and
the United States, Ii consequence Of the
American CLAIMS for individual damages,
under the Treaty Of Washington, was
composed by. q spontaneous declaration
Of arbitration entirely consistent with my
views ] announced to you at the opening
OF the session. In concurrence with your
action on the part Of the United Kingdom
the Parliament Of Canada has passed the
acts necessary to give effect to the treaty.
Within the Dominion all arrangements
contemplated by that instrument are
therefore now in progress, and l reflect
with satisfaction that the subjects with
which it has dealt no longer offer any
impediment to- perfect concord be.
tween two, kindred nations. Since
addressed you at the commencement Of
the session have received from France
q formal notice which would bring to an
end the commercial treaty OF 1860. That
government, however, has indicated
a desire for further communication. In
any correspondence on the subject
shall be guided by, my earnest anxiety to
secure attention TO the just claims OF my
subjects.by the friendly feeling which has
so long united the two countries, and BY
my conviction Of the moral as well as
material benefits derived by each from
free intercourse between them. l had
great satisfaction in concluding with
Germany atreaty in conformity with the
provisions Of the act Of 1870 for the mu.
tual delivery Of fugitive criminals. am
engaged in framing similar arrangements
with other powers. My government has
taken steps intended to prepare the way
for dealing more effectively with the
slave trade on the east coast of Africa,
and have cheertully given my assent to
an act Of the legislature Of Cape Colony
for the establishment in that COLONY Of
what is now q generally and responsible
government, Gentlemen Of the House
OF Commons, my thanks are due you for
the ample provision which you have
made for the varying exigences of the
public service. My Lords and gentlemen,
although the wants and expectations OF
the country seem TO outstrip every effort
OF Parliament in its career OF legislative
improvement, I notice with satisfaction
the main additions which you have been
enabled to make during the present year
to our laws. The act in reference to out.
RACES OF the natives on the islands Of the


Pacific Ocean is well designed, by pro.


viding for more easy and effectual pre-


ventlon and punishment Of the offenses
at which 1t Is aimed and to promote the
ends OF humanity and the honor OF the
empire. The act for the localization Of
the army, while 1t strengthens the defen.
sive system Of the country, will lend in
dispensable aid in efectiag those impor-
tant reforms which have been approved


by Parliament. The act which estab-
fishes the ballot will assist to secure alike
the independence Of tho voter and the
tranquility aud purity OF the elections for
members Of parliament. Although yoI
have been unable during the present
session to mature any measures directed
against the corrupt practices in the
choice Of members Of the House of
Commons, I observe with.pleasure that
the cognate subject Of the municipal
elections has had your attention, and that
you have presented to me q law which
Is well calculated to check the existing
evils and which provides q tribunal ior
trying the validity of such elections. By
the Scottish education act, you have made
provision for the further extension, and


greater efficacy Of the training OF the
young throughout Scotland, in accord.
ance with the conscientious and deet


rooted conviction OF the people, and with
the principles of religious freedom. The
act tor establishing board of local gov.
ernment in ireland, modelled on the Eng.
lish statute Of 1871, supplies the machin.
cry for giving effect to many useful laws
and promises to extend within that por.
ton OF the United Kingdom, household
benefits of popular local institution, the
measure of the amendment OF the act Of
uniformity based upon careful INQUIRY
and on large amount ofascertained con.
sent without offense or shock introduced
useful notifications into the ancient sys.
tenn OF Divine worship, 10 which large
portion OF my people are attached.


| The public health act, though 1t does
not embrace all the enactments which
could have been desired, has by the es.
tablishment Of efficient and duly organ.
lied local authorities, done much both for
the enforcement Of tho present sanitary
laws and for rendering more easy what
yet remains to be accomplished In the
way OF legislative provision on the subject.


The act for regulating the custody and
management of the large funds held by
the Court Of Chancery, will relieve a
numerous class Of suitors in that court
from the risks and inconyeniences 10
which they may. heretofore have been
more or less exposed, ,and likewise tend
70 increase the stability OF our finances,
am gratiaed to find by the acts for the
regulation OF mines, that you have been
enabled to supply new securities for the
safety and advantage. Of large bodies OF
my subjects engaged in this great
branch OF industry. The enactments
embodied OF the licensing system con.
stitute the existing law. l trust
the several regulations for the DO.
lice, which they include, will be
found conducive to public order.
am able to speak favorably, both OF the
tranquility and the growing prosperity Of
Ireland. The revenue Is In q flouFishing
condition. While ! cordially congratulate
you on the actively Of trade and Industry,
| hope 1t will ebornc in the mind that
periods Of unusually rapid changes in the
prices of commodities, and the value Of
| iRhhf Are liknvuizn f1nrioda which ,,1orsn