Flix Majesty's mpeec': at the prorogation of Parlivinont Inst month was as follows My Leds, and Gentlemen—My r-lations with other Powers continue to be friend y.
It gave me great sal the King of Spain as my quest Majesty's stay in E gland will, 1 feel sure, ye to strengthen the cordial relxtious whioh have fore long subsivied between this country and the Spanish people, Neg stintions. due to the initiative of the President of the United states, are anent to be en ered ino between the Russian and Japanese Gov.roments fir thy pic pose of terminating the sleplorable conflict proceeding inthe Far Bust, Isis wy nest hupa trut they may lead to a lasting mutually honourable peace.
The Powers signteries or the Madrid Convention of 1850 hee been invited by the sultan of Morveco to take part ins conference for the purpose +f evmsidering the be-t means of introducing much needed reforms into that couutre. The of such a ounference are under consid: tion.
The dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway ix apparently inmminent Tam confident that by tne exercise of moderation on exch side " settlement will be arrived at acceptable to buth countries and of such a nature as to enable my Government to maintain with the people of the Scandinavian Peninsula the sain friendly relations which have prevailed in the past.
The condition of nfftirs in Macedonia and in Crete s.ill gives cause for consider: able anxiety, and continue to engage attention of my Governm -nt and the of the other Powers concerned.
The King of Taly ha. delivered his award in regard te th- frontier be ween the p ssess.ons of Portugal la Sou'h-Wee-t Africa and the territory of tne Barowse dom, and. settlement of this dition question has thus been eff otod.
I gladly accepted the invitation of his Majesty the amg of Italy to send del gates to the ey, ference cated under his auspices to consider the question of e8-ablishong an international institute for the codecti and exchange of information b-ating upon gricultu-e. I cordaly hope that the cute-me of the eu-ference will he of service to agriculturists buth at home and abroad, -My Government has received from the Domivion of Oiuuda a most patriotic offer financial resvousivility for the defence of Hal fax and-Exquimalt, and that offer has been cordially xeceprel. The transfer of control will take pi ce at "n early d te und-r arrang-mosts in regard to which pveremest have fortunate been enough to abt in the fulles anil anpreci-tive ov-op ration of the Domi Government, In ace-dane" with the expectation held out xt the 0 ening of this session, I have granted to the Transvaal represen ttutiors which will be brew; operation as soon x8 the mensn: rs nece sary for holding elections can be completed. Ttrust thet all sections of the com po-itieal power thu conte-red nyon them or theadvancementand welfare of the Colony.
I have concluded a treaty with Fi Highness the Amir of Afghanistan con. tinuing the eng cements which existed ili the late Amir, and which during his lifetime secured friendly relations between my Government in India and His Highnesy's Government. The text of the agreement has been hid before Gentlemen of the House of Com-I think you for the satisfactory provision which you have made for the services of the year, " My Lords and Gentlemen,—I hive given my nssont with much pleasure to measures for renewing the I n which lightens the loc burdens which press upon th tural population wud for the mitigation of the evils which have arisen out of alien minigr.tion into the United Kingdom.
I have gidly joned a temporary Acct for the establish! of auth sri jew to al with the question of the unemp'aye Ltrust tha te Commission which [have mppreved to inyestig te the operation of the existing P or Law will materially assist the deliberations of a future P rin i pation of this difficult A Bill dealing wih the eclesiastienl difficult es in Scotland has bern pass d inti law. Lhope that its results may nob only put an end to a serious controversy be tween two Preshy'erian Churches in that country, hut way ult-mat-ly conduce to the disest and must harmonious ovoperntion between all reli ies who accept Presbyterian doctrine and slisciplin In bidding you fwewell, I pray that the bles-ing of almighty God may rest pon all your labours.—* Hongkong Daly Press."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.