§ THE LORD CHANCELLORdelivered HER MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH to both Houses of Parliament, as follows:—
§ My Lords and Gentlemen,
§ "No change has taken place in the Foreign relations of this country during the short period which has elapsed since the close of the preceding Session. The securities for European peace appear to me to be undiminished.
3§ "I have commenced negotiations with the King of Italy for the determination of the frontier which separates the territory under British influence in North-East Africa from that which belongs to the protected Empire of Abyssinia.
§ "A Treaty was signed on the 20th August, having for its object the ascertainment of the boundaries between British territory in Central Africa and the Portuguese Provinces of Angola, Gaza, and Mozambique. It has, however, not received the ratification of the King of Portugal; and, pending further negotiations, a temporary arrangement in regard to the most urgent questions has been concluded between the two countries, which will be laid before you.
§ "Negotiations have also been commenced in respect of the Newfoundland Fishery questions, and I trust that a settlement may be arrived at which will be satisfactory to all parties.
§ Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
§ "The Estimates for the charge of the ensuing year will be submitted to you at the ordinary time. Strict economy will be observed in the preparation of them.
§ My Lords and Gentlemen,
§ "The general condition of Ireland has sensibly improved under the operation of the salutary legislation which you have applied to it. But I have learned, with deep regret, that a serious deficiency in the potato crop in certain parts of Ireland threatens the recurrence of one of those periods of severe distress to which the population of the Western Counties are peculiarly exposed by the industrial and economic conditions under which they live. I trust that the measures of my Government may mitigate the immediate evil, and diminish the probability of its return. It appears to me also desirable, for the increase of contentment and the diminu- 4 tion of political disturbance throughout Ireland, to take measures for augmenting the number of owners engaged in the actual cultivation of the land. A measure having this object in view will be laid before you.
§ "Proposals will again be made to you for remedying the difficulties which have arisen from the indirect incidence of Tithe Rent Charge upon the land in England and Wales.
§ "A measure will be submitted to you for facilitating the transaction in Scotland and Ireland of the more important stages of Private Legislation affecting those countries.
§ "Your attention will be invited to the expediency of alleviating the burden which the Law of Compulsory Education has in recent years imposed upon the poorer portion of my people.
§ "There are several other matters upon which legislation is desirable; but recent experience has rendered it doubtful whether the time at your disposal will, in your judgment, be sufficient for the consideration of many subjects of an important character beyond those to which I have referred. In case time for further legislation should be found, I have directed the preparation of Bills for the enactment of a reformed system of County Government in Ireland analagous to that which has been recently put in operation for Great Britain; for the establishment of District Councils; for the extension of facilities for purchasing small parcels of land in Great Britain; for amending the Law with respect to the compensation payable by employers in case of injury to persons in their employment; for consolidating and amending the Laws relating to Public Health; for the appointment of a Public Trustee; and for increasing the security of Friendly Societies and Savings Banks.
5§ "In the discharge of the arduous duties which are assigned to you, I commend you heartily to the guidance of Almighty God."
§ Then the Commons withdrew.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed.
§ PRAYERS.