Inclosed is a printed copy of the speech, in French, with accompanying
translation into English.
His Majesty’s reference to brigandage is worthy of attention.
Speech pronounced by His Majesty the King of
Greece at the opening of the third session of the third
parliamentary period, October 30, 1871.
Gentlemen Deputies: To-day I see with
pleasure assembled about me the representatives of the nation whose
prosperity is always the strongest desire of my heart and my
constant solicitude. During my last journey abroad I was pleased to
observe the sincere attachment of my people to the Queen, while
discharging the difficult duties of the regency. It gives me
pleasure to announce that my relations with foreign powers are
friendly. Their conservation is with me an object of constant
solicitude.
The affair of Laurium will not, I trust, disturb these relations with
any of the powers. My government will lay before you the documents
relating to this affair.
The most important home question, that of the public security, is in
a satisfactory condition.
The measures which you have promptly voted, and their successful
application by my government, have made it impossible that
brigandage should continue among us. The complete extirpation of
this evil, whose remnants exist on the frontier, is not far off,
provided the remedies continue to be enforced.
I am able also to state that the financial condition of the country
affords cheering hopes, inasmuch as the receipts have been
sufficient for the demands of the service.
Order in the finances is the sure result of the measures which have
been taken, the strengthening of public security, and order enforced
throughout the service.
Draughts of important laws will be submitted to you during the
present session. An electoral law providing for a large
representation of the sentiments of the people in parliament will
be, I sincerely hope, the subject of serious and thorough
consideration. Provincial and municipal laws giving more freedom to
the administration of affairs in the provinces and the villages, and
restoring a desirable harmony between the constitution and the
executive department, will receive, I doubt not, your attention,
inasmuch as you understand the views of the provinces and
villages.
The direct removal of the land-tax on cereal crops and its
provisional replacement by other resources, until the application of
a more perfect system of taxation, are matters worthy of your
attention. One of our strongest desires has been the improvement of
the condition of the clergy. This is also the prayer of Greece.
Therefore my government, sensible of this necessity, is earnestly
engaged in devising a remedy, and will submit to you the draught of
a law on this subject.
A military law, answering to the needs and resources of the country,
based on the wholesome principle of equality in making recruits for
the military service, will be laid before you. For the better
regulation of that which concerns justice, my government will submit
to your enlightened judgment draughts for a number of
enactments.
The improvement of the consular service is thought to be a matter
worthy of serious attention.
You will receive the draught of a law for securing adequate
protection to the interests of Greece abroad.
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A revision of the penal code for the marine will also be submitted to
your consideration.
Order in the public service and the training of competent employés
require an enactment fixing the qualifications of employés, and my
government will ask your vote on this question. All these questions
have a bearing on important interests of the nation. Their happy
solution forming the basis of a complete system of measures for the
improvement of public affairs, is a sufficient guarantee for the
future. May love for our common country be for all a constant guide
in our thoughts and our actions.
We shall find our strength in the help of the Almighty. I proclaim
the opening of the third session of the third parliamentary
period.
