destined for, or which may be employed in, the distillation of brandy or alcohol, of whatever strength, is prohibited.

4. All contrary legislation is repealed.

NEW CUSTOMS TARIFF applicable in Lourenço Marques, established by Decree of the Royal Commissioner of Mozambique, dated November 1, 1895.

ART. 1. The Tariff (A), import duties, applicable in the Lourenço Marques Customs district in virtue of the Decree of the 29th December, 1892,* shall, on and after the 1st January, 1896, be substituted by the Tariff (A) hereto annexed, until the Government of the mother-country shall adopt another Customs régime for the Province of Mozambique.

2. In like manner, the Tariff (B), articles exempt from import duties, applicable in the Lourenço Marques Customs district in virtue of the same Decree, shall be substituted by the Tariff (B), hereto annexed.

3. The ad valorem duties leviable on foreign imported goods must be paid in gold.

Sole Section. The Customs shall not accept invoices of foreign goods established in Portuguese money.

4. The Permanent Commission of Customs Tariffs, established by Decree of the 29th December, 1892,† will take into consideration until the 1st July, 1896, all objections which merchants in Lourenço Marques may deem fit to make relative to the tariff in question, and, after investigation, will transmit the same to the Governor-General of the province, who, in his turn, will communicate them to the Government of the mother-country for decision.

5. Goods which, on the 1st January, 1896, were stored in customs warehouses of Lourenço Marques, or en route in destination for the said custom-house, shall, at the request of the importer, be cleared conformably to the tariffs in force prior to the 1st January, 1896.

Lourenço Marques, November 1, 1895.

ANTONIO ENNES, Royal Commissioner.

* Page 514.

+ See Article 35 of the Prelimininary Dispositions, page 526.

7. Twine for the manufacture of fishing nets (when of national origin).

8. Books printed in any language.

9. Sewing machines, typewriters, and agricultural and industrial machines and implements, and accessories for the same, as well as scientific and mathematical instruments and apparatus.

10. Fishing nets, of national origin.

11. Sacks of coarse packing or sack cloth of linen or similar fibres (when of

national origin).

12. Casks, fitted together or not (when of national origin).

13. Glass or earthenware vessels having been used for the importation of goods. 14. Waggons, waggonettes, and carriages for railways, and rails ("carris "). 15. Vehicles of all kinds (complete), fitted together or not, when of national origin.

SPEECH of the King of Sweden and Norway, on the Opening of the Norwegian Storthing on February 11, 1898.— Christiania, February 9, 1898.

(Translation.)

GENTLEMEN,

THE past year has in several respects been an important one to me and my house. I have been able to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of my reign, and have on that occasion received from wide circles of Norwegian people proofs of a love which is precious to me, and which shall ever be gratefully remembered by me.

My beloved son Prince Charles, last summer, had realized a wish which was dear to him, and to my heart as his father, in that he brought home as his bride Princess Ingeborg of Denmark.

The relations of the united kingdoms are of unaltered friendliness to all foreign Powers.

As regards agriculture, last year's harvest has in general been somewhat below the average, but otherwise the trade of the country has been carried on under favourable conditions.

Norwegian industry and art have participated with honour in the Exhibition which last year took place in the Swedish capital.

I have availed myself of the authority given by the Storthing in 1896 for the conversion of the State Loan of 1886; and this has been done at a rate of exchange which is satisfactory evidence of the credit enjoyed by this country in foreign markets.

The proposed Budget, which will be placed before you, shows a considerable increase of expenditure, partly owing to the ordinary course of development, partly on account of the carrying into effect of several new laws. Although the Budget has been made up without imposition of new taxes, this great increase in expenditure

seems to call for economy in the administration of the public

revenue.

Several questions of importance to national defence are under consideration, more particularly I may mention a Bill for extending the time for the training of recruits, and another for altered pay for the subordinate officers of the army and navy.

Among proposals which will be put before you, I must especially call your attention to one for a new economical arrangement of high class scholastic instruction; a law regarding widows' funds; arrangements for combating tuberculous diseases; laws respecting midwives, minority, and the assessment of the ground-tax.

Invoking the blessing of God upon your labours, Gentlemen, I declare the proceedings of the forty-seventh ordinary Storthing commenced, and remain yours with all Royal favour and grace. At the Palace of Christiania, February 9, 1898.

F. HAGERUP.
LEHMANN.

OSCAR.

SPEECHI of the King of Sweden and Norway, on the Opening of the Norwegian Storthing.—Christiania, October 12, 1898.

(Translation.)

GENTLEMEN,

THE relations of the united kingdoms to all foreign Powers continue to be friendly.

During the war between the United States of North America and Spain the kingdoms maintained their neutrality.

The uninterrupted peace has been a blessing to both nations, and my efforts shall be directed by all proper means to secure it in the future.

From the Imperial Russian Government an invitation has been received to co-operate with the different States in working for the maintenance of peace, and for the reduction of those burdens which an armed peace imposes upon the nations. It has given me pleasure to respond to the appeal, and I will do what is in my power to support the work.

The Storthing's Arbitration Address of 1897 is now under consideration, and an announcement will be made to the Storthing with regard to the results arrived at.

An application has been received from the Imperial Russian Government regarding the revision of the Treaties existing between Russia on one side, and Norway and Sweden on the other. My Norwegian Government report that they are willing to undertake