HL Deb 30 August 1889 vol 340 cc825-8

The Parliament was this day prorogued by Commission.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

delivered Her Majesty's Speech as follows:—

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

It is with much satisfaction that I release you from the labours of a protracted Session.

My relations with other Powers continue to be of the most cordial character. Since the commencement of this Session nothing has happened to diminish the confident expectation of unbroken European peace which I was then able to express.

The only exception to the tranquil course of events since that period has been a very partial renewal of the attempts formerly made by the followers of the Mahdi to invade the southern frontier of Egypt. The invading force was arrested and dispersed with conspicuous skill and complete effect by the troops of His Highness the Khedive, supported by a small British contingent, under the command of General Grenfell.

A Conference upon the affairs of Samoa, consisting of Representatives of Great Britain, Germany, and the United States, was assembled at Berlin in the spring, and agreed upon a Convention for regulating the government of those islands. This instrument has been accepted by me and by the German Emperor, and now awaits the assent of the Senate of the United States.

At my suggestion, the King of the Belgians has consented to summon in the autumn a Conference of the European Powers at Brussels which will consider the present condition of the Slave Trade, both by land and sea, and will deliberate upon measures for arresting or mitigating the evils which it still inflicts upon mankind.

I have come to an agreement with the French Republic by which various controversies with respect to the boundaries of our respective possessions on the West Coast of Africa have been adjusted.

A new Postal and Telegraphic Convention has been concluded with France and Germany.

It has afforded me much pleasure to accept the loyal offers of several of the native Princes and Chiefs who have come forward to share the military burdens imposed upon my subjects in British India, and I welcome their co- operation in the common defence of the Empire.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I gladly acknowledge the care and liberality with which you have provided for the wants of the public service.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

The measures which you have taken, with no grudging hand, to strengthen the naval defences of the Empire, will enable my subjects to pursue their industry and enterprise in more complete security and peace.

The Act for reforming the Local Government of Scotland will, I am convinced, contribute largely to the welfare and contentment of my people in that Kingdom.

I much regret that the pressure upon your time has prevented you from passing a Bill for conferring Responsible Government on my subjects in Western Australia. I trust that this very desirable object may be effected at an early period.

I note with satisfaction the valuable improvements which you have introduced into the constitution of the Universities of Scotland, and the steps you have taken towards the establishment of technical education in England and Wales. The Intermediate Education Act for Wales will supply a deficiency in the educational system of the Principality which has been acutely felt for many years.

I have assented with much pleasure to a Bill for bringing the less prosperous portions of Ireland into rapid communication with the principal markets of the United Kingdom, by means of a systematic extension of railways. This provision will confirm the increasing agricultural and commercial well-being which has accompanied the gradual suppression of disorder in that country.

I sincerely hope that the new Board of Agriculture may be the means of still further developing the oldest of our national industries.

I am thankful to be able to recognise that the signs of a growing prosperity, the fruit of returning confidence, are everywhere discernible. In the hope that, under the operation of your wise counsels, it may be strengthened and prolonged by the hearty concord of all my subjects, I commend you reverently to the merciful care of Almighty God.

Then a Commission for the Parliament was read.

After which,

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

said—

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name and in obedience to Her Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Saturday the Sixteenth day of November next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Saturday the Sixteenth day of November next.