It will be seen that the King represents the affairs of the kingdom to be in
a good condition, with flattering prospects as respects the future.
Relations with foreign powers are friendly, good order prevails. Brigandage
has been extirpated throughout the interior of the kingdom. Negotiations are
in progress with the Turkish government for the efficient co-operation of
Greece and Turkey to crush out the remnant of brigand bands upon the border.
Many persons accused of crime (known as contumax) who
had fled to the mountains to escape justice—a class that has heretofore
largely replenished the ranks of the brigands—have been arrested. Important
railway as well as common highway and telegraph enterprises have been
projected and only require the approbation of the chamber to insure their
completion. Additional
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banking
facilities now afforded will have the effect to encourage the trade and
industry of the kingdom by materially diminishing the rates of interest
heretofore exacted. Measures will be proposed for the improvement of the
educational system of the country, so as to render it more practical and
beneficial. Measures will also be proposed for the re-organization of the
financial policy, so that receipts may cover expenditures, thus preventing a
recurrence of annual deficits in the budget.
The chamber is not yet organized for business. It is claimed, in behalf of
the ministry, that the government has 110 to 124 supporters out of the 190
deputies elected to the Greek Parliament.
[Translation.]
Speech of the King of Greece on the opening of
Parliament February 26, 1873.
Messieurs les Députés: It is with gladness that
I see around me the representatives of the nation, who have come
together in order to co-operate with my government for the adjustment of
public affairs, in accordance with the opinions and desires of the
nation.
My relations with foreign powers are, as heretofore, friendly, and the
progress of the country will further strengthen these relations and
render them useful in the future.
During the last half-year the authorities have perseveringly occupied
themselves with the arrest of contumax, and the
active prosecution of this work has speedily rid society from that
direful anomaly. Brigandage, on the other hand, having been completely
extirpated in the interior, has been successfully repulsed on the
frontier-line also, and, for its total annihilation on the frontiers, my
government has proposed to the Ottoman government the plan of a special
convention, which I hope will soon be ratified, to the common advantage,
moral and material, of both countries.
To your consideration will be submitted conventions and legislative
measures worthy of your earnest study, as they have immediate regard to
the development of the resources of the country, which strongly feel the
need of such measures, namely:
The establishment of two banks, the Credit
Mobilier and the Credit Foncier, which
will develop credit, the most efficacious instrument of modern
civilization, will diminish the price of money, will help agriculture,
which stands in great need of such institutions, and will facilitate the
execution of useful communal and provincial public works.
The construction of two railways from Patras to Pyrgos, and from Piræus
to the frontier, near Lamia, which will develop internal communication,
and will probably bring the country into direct railway intercourse with
other states.
The establishment of an agricultural company for the tuition and
application of the new systems of agriculture by means of practical and
theoretical schools in all the nomarchies of the country, so that
science may strengthen the agricultural powers of our state.
The development of telegraphic communication both in the interior and
with foreign countries.
The augmentation and utilization of the existing funds for road-making,
so that in a short time the whole system of roads may be completed, the
work being conceded by competition to a company.
The re-organization and development of the school of arts, in conformity
with the actual wants both of society and the public service. For this
object the organization of other educational establishments also will
have to be modified.
A new system of conscription, in order to expand the military powers of
the nation, and render just and not burdensome the service in the
army.
Besides these, several other bills will be submitted to your vote,
regarding the more perfect application of the principles which regulate
our institutions, to the amelioration of the internal administration of
the country, and to the execution of useful and productive works. The
execution of such works will be facilitated by the credits opened in
favor of the state with the new banking establishments for a sum of ten
million drachmas on most advantageous terms.
Many changes will be made in the finances of the kingdom, so that the
yearly deficit of the budget may be covered. The measures which will be
proposed to you with this object you will appreciate in relation to the
exigencies which have dictated them,
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not only as regards the return to an equilibrium
between receipts and expenses, but also with the object of a better
regulation of the internal administration.
The confessed tendency of our nation to progress will, I trust,
facilitate our work and realize the hopes which the past of our country
has justly inspired. To this end I pray the Most High to confer upon us
His help and blessing.
I declare the commencement of the first session of the fifth
Parliament.
