THE LORD CHANCELLORdelivered HER MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH to both Houses of Parliament, as follows:—
§ My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ "I regret, in view of the recent completion of your arduous labours, to have to summon you so soon to renew them.
§ My relations with foreign Powers continue to be amicable and satisfactory.
§ The negotiations between my Government and that of the Emperor of Russia for the settlement of frontier questions in Central Asia are proceeding in a spirit of mutual confidence and goodwill, which gives every hope of an early and equitable adjustment.
3§ Negotiations are also in progress with the Government of the United States for the purpose of executing the Award of the Court of Arbitration on the question of the Seal Fisheries in the Behring Sea.
§ I have pleasure in also informing you that the protracted and intricate arrangements for fixing the frontier between my Burmese dominions and those of the Emperor of China have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion by the signature of a formal Convention.
§ Two collisions, accompanied by a lamentable loss of life, have lately occurred with French colonial forces in West Africa. I await the result of the inquiry instituted with regard to these deplorable occurrences in the full confidence that they will be examined in the calm and dignified temper that befits two great nations on such an occasion.
§ Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
§ The Estimates for the Public Service of the year will be laid before you. They will be found to make full and adequate provision for the defence of the Empire.
§ My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ The recent improvement in the state of Ireland has been continuous and marked, and agrarian crime has been reduced under the administration of the ordinary law to the lowest point that has been reached for the last fifteen years.
§ The condition, however, of a considerable body of evicted tenants in that country requires early attention, and a measure will be submitted to you with a view to a reasonable settlement of a question deeply affecting the well-being of Ireland.
§ Bills will be submitted to you for the amendment of registration, and the abolition of plural voting at Parliamentary elections.
§ Measures will be laid before you dealing with the Ecclesiastical Establishments in Wales and Scotland.
4§ There will also be presented Bills having for their object the equalization of rates in London; the establishment of a system of Local Government in Scotland, on the same basis as that recently accorded to England and Wales, and the exercise of a direct local control over the liquor traffic.
§ You will also be asked to consider measures for the promotion of conciliation in labour disputes; for the amendment of the Factory and Mines Acts; and for the reform of the present method of conducting inquiries into fatal accidents in Scotland.
§ Upon all your labours and deliberations I humbly implore the blessing and guidance of Almighty God."
§ Then the Commons withdrew.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed.
§ PRAYERS.