The new Session, the third of this Parliament, was opened
on Monday with a speech which her Majesty commences with an apology to the Members for troubling them again so soon. The Houses are informed that negotiations with Russia about the Pamirs proceed " in a spirit of mutual confidence and good will," promising an early settlement, that a boundary has been fixed between China and Burmah—an unexpected bit of good news—and that the collisions with France in West Africa will be met "in the calm and dignified temper" which befits great nations. The estimates will be found to make full provision for the defence of the Empire—that is, the Navy will be increased—and then there are the usual lists of Bills. The improvement in Ireland has been continuous and marked, but the condition of a considerable body of evicted tenants requires consideration ; Registration must be it - proved, and plural voting abolished ; the Welsh and Scotch Churches must be disestablished ; rates in London must be equalised, and there must be everywhere local control over the liquor traffic. Finally, there will be measures for the promotion of conciliation in labour disputes, and for the amendment of the Factory and M ining Acts—which means, we believe, for the com- pulsory increase of precautions in dangerous trades. That is a long list of measures for one Session, and considering that it begins a month too late, and that the Budget will probably be a contentious one, the Speech can be regarded only as a grand advertisement. " Keep us in power" say her Majesty's Ministers, "and we will give you, by degrees, all manner of pretty things."
