§ THE PARLIAMENT was this day prorogued by Commission.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR delivered Her Majesty's speech as follows:—
§ My Lords and Gentlemen,
§ "My relations with all Foreign Powers continue to be of a pacific and friendly character.
§ My attention has been called to the inconveniences which might arise from the possible conflict of territorial claims in the newly-occupied regions of Africa. I have, therefore, entered into negotiation with the Powers principally concerned for the purpose of marking out 1202 the boundaries within which the action of the respective Governments is to be confined. The arrangement with Germany, which closes the most difficult of these questions, has been completed and laid before you; and in order to give effect to it you have sanctioned by a special Statute the cession of the island of Heligoland.
§ An Arrangement has also been entered into with France, separating the territory adjacent to the southern frontier of Algeria from the territory which is under the influence of the Royal Niger Company. An Agreement for the delimitation of other territories in Africa is under discussion with the Government of Portugal.
§ I have agreed with the President of the French Republic that the British Protectorate over Zanzibar and the French Protectorate over Madagascar shall be mutually recognised by the two Powers.
§ I have offered to the President of the United States to submit to arbitration questions of difference that have arisen between us with respect to jurisdiction in Behring's Sea.
§ The Conference upon the Slave Trade, assembled at my suggestion by His Majesty the King of the Belgians, has brought its deliberations to a close. The Final Act has received the adhesion of all the Powers represented at the Conference with the exception of His Majesty the King of the Netherlands. The Protocols will be laid before you as soon as they are received. I earnestly hope that the resolutions to which the Conference has come may lead to results worthy of the high and benevolent purpose which has inspired them.
§ Controversies have arisen between my subjects in Newfoundland and the French fishermen upon that coast with respect to the true interpretation of the rights reserved to France by the Treaty 1203 of Utrecht and subsequent engagements. The adjustment of these differences is occupying the anxious attention of my Government.
§ I have gladly given my assent to the Act which you have passed for conferring upon the Colony of Western Australia institutions similar to those which have worked with remarkable success in the other Australian colonies.
§ I have learnt with satisfaction, that a Convention has been ratified by the Volksraad of the South African Republic which will, I trust, bring to an end the difficulties which existed in respect to Swaziland.
§ Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
§ I thank you for the provision which you have made for the requirements of the State. It is a matter of much satisfaction to me that you have been able to make substantial progress in the task of reducing the public burdens.
§ My Lords and Gentlemen,
§ I am rejoiced to observe that effective steps have been taken by you for the promotion of primary, intermediate, and technical education.
§ I trust that the measures which you have passed for the extensive re-construction of barracks will secure the health and increase the efficiency of my soldiers. I am glad that you have been able materially to improve the position of the Police Force, on whose valuable service increasing demands are made.
§ The policy you have adopted of giving uniformity and increased vigour to precautions against contagious diseases among cattle will have a salutary influence upon a very important interest.
§ The Amendments you have made in the system of winding-up companies under the Law of Limited Liability will be of advantage to commerce; and the Acts as to allotments, and with respect to Houses for the Working Classes, will 1204 contribute largely to the well-being of he labouring portion of my people.
§ I commend you earnestly to the care and blessing of Almighty God."
§ Then a Commission for proroguing 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 Twenty-fifth day of October next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Saturday the Twenty-fifth day of October next.