Lords Sitting of 18 December 1902

ROYAL ASSENT—COMMISSION.
The following Bills received the Royal Assent.

1. Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) (No. 2).

2. Patent Law Amendment.

3. Electric Lighting Acts Amendment (Scotland).

4. Expiring Laws Continuance.

5. Osborne Estate.

6. Local Government (Ireland) (No.2).

7. Mail Ships.

8. Militia and Yeomanry.

9. Education (England and Wales).

10. London Water.

11. Uganda Railway,

12. Glasgow Corporation (Water and General) Order Confirmation.

THE KING'S SPEECH.
His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR (in pursuance of His Majesty's Commands), as followeth:—
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
"The period since the meeting of Parliament last January has been fruit-ful in events of public importance and interest. The war in South Africa, after lasting for two years and a half, has been brought to a successful and honourable conclusion; the new Colonies of the Transvaal and the Orange River have been incorporated in My Empire, and, in spite of the inevitable difficulties consequent on a long and destructive war, there seems every reason to hope that material prosperity, greater than any they have yet experienced, may visit these regions, and that all sections of the population may live together in friendship with each Crown.
"The ceremony of the Coronation had of necessity to be postponed through the dangerous illness, from which, by the blessing of Almighty God, I have been granted a complete recovery. But the sympathy and affection manifested by all classes of the community have caused. Me deep gratification, and have rendered
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even more memorable an occasion which differed from every preceding event of a like character in respect of the numbers and the importance of those who visited this Kingdom from the most distant portions of My Empire.
" The great Indian Feudatory Princes showed by their presence at a ceremony of Imperial significance their devotion to the King-Emperor; while the Prime Ministers of the self-governing Colonies gave by their attendance yet another proof of the strong feeling of attachment binding these free communities to the Crown and to the Mother Country, which was so strikingly manifested during the recent war.
" Advantage was taken of the presence of these representative statesmen to discuss many questions closely affecting the relations between the various portions of My Empire, and I am confident that these personal communications, followed as they have been by the visit of the Secretary of State for the Colonies to South Africa for the purpose of investigating on the spot the difficult problems which there await solution, will be of the utmost value both in respect of their immediate effects and as precedents for the future.
" Operations have been undertaken in Eastern Africa for the purpose of checking the depredations committed by the Mullah Abdullah against the tribes under My protection. These operations have been conducted in the face of difficulties which have hitherto stood in the way of their complete success. My forces are receiving valuable facilities from the Italian Government, whose African Possessions are also affected by the Mullah's aggression. I hail with satisfaction the co-operation of the two countries in a matter which concerns them both.
"The Chilean and Argentine Governments accepted the good offices of My revered Mother for the purpose of obtaining a settlement of a long-standing difference regarding the frontiers of the two Republics. After a careful examination of the documentary evidence and a survey of the localities in dispute by a Commission of experts, I have pronounced an arbitral Award, which has been readily accepted by both parties, and which may be expected to prevent the

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recurrence of misunderstandings them. It has given Me cordial satisfaction to have been able to contribute in this way to the establishment of good relations between the two Republics.
"In concert with other Government interested in the sugar trade, I have entered into a Convention for the purpose of putting an end to the grave inconvenicnces resulting from the grant of excessive bounties on the production of sugar.
"I regret that the constant complaints which My Government have found it necessary to address to the Government of Venezuela in regard to unjustifiable and arbitrary acts against British subjects and property during the last two years have been persistently disregarded. It has become necessary for My Government, acting in concert with that of His Imperial Majesty the German Emperor, which has also serious causes of complaint against the Republic, to insist upon measures of redress.
"An Agreement was concluded early in the present year between My Government and that of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan, under which the two Governments have bound themselves to assist one another in certain eventualities for the defence of their respective interests. This Agreement will, I believe, be for the advantage of both countries, and will contribute towards the maintenance of the general peace in the extreme East.
"I have concluded with His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China a Commercial Treaty which promises to secure, not only for this Country, but for the commerce of the world, valuable facilities and advantages. Portions of this Treaty will not become operative unless the same engagements be entered into with China by other Powers; it contains, however, provisions of great value which do not depend upon their assent. Arrangements have been made for the withdrawal of the International Forces which have been in occupation of Shanghae.
"I have also concluded with His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Ethiopia a Treaty defining the frontier between that country and the Soudan.
"In My Indian Dominions, which, during the last few years have suffered
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so severely from famine, much anxiety was caused by the anticipation of another year of drought; but I rejoice to say that this danger has now been averted by a plentiful fall of rain, and that the prospects of the agricultural population troughout the country are generally good.
"The Governor General is about to hold a great assembly at Delhi for the purpose of proclaiming My succession to the Imperial Crown of India, and it gives me the highest satisfaction to reflect that this important ceremony will be associated with a period of unusual commercial and financial prosperity.
"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
"I thank you for the liberal provision which you have made for the services of the year.
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
"During a Session of unusual length you have passed measures dealing with the Supply of Water to the Metropolis, with the Sale of Intoxicating Liquours, and the Registration of Clubs, and with a much needed reform of the Patent Laws. These subjects have long called for legislative treatment, and I rejoice that time has been found to pass the necessary Acts. The heaviest portion, however, of your labours has been devoted to the Bill for the co-ordination and improvement of primary, secondary, and higher Education in England and Wales. It was impossible, in the public interest, to defer any longer dealing with this great subject; nor could it be touched without raising issues which all would desire to see left outside the region of political discussion. I trust that the controversies which have been aroused during the passing of the Measure will not be of long duration, and that it will greatly contribute to the solution of what is perhaps the most difficult, and is certainly not the least important, of all the questions of domestic legislation which can engage your attention.
"I pray that the blessing of Providence may rest upon all your labours."
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
After which the Lord CHANCELLOR said
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
"By virtue of His Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed and now read, we do, in His Majesty's name, and in obedience to His commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the Seventeenth day of February next, to be here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday, the Seventeenth day of February next."