CONGO REFORMS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 444, 1 March 1909, Page 7

CONGO REFORMS.

STATEMENT BY SIR E. GREY. (BY TELEGRAM —mESS ASSOCIATION* —COPYRIGHT.) London, February 26. Tlio Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey) has promised Parliament an opportunity to discuss tho Congo reforms ■>vhon Belgium's expected answer has been received. Until then, however, no further action is practicable. BRITAIN'S POLICY. On ipore than ono occasion during the past year fair Edward Groy stated tho policy of Great Britain in relation to tho Congo, insisting that forced labour must come to an end. He said, on July 27: "If it is to come to an end it is essential without delay that the natives should be put into possession of largo tracts of territory which will enable them to keep themselves. Otherwise they will have no means of earning a livelihood." _ In regard to the freedom of trade, tho British Government proposed to the Belgian Government that any difficulties of interpretation of treaty rights should bo submitted to arbitration. Tho Congo Reform party, which has been engaged for some years past in arousing public opinion, especially in England and America, with regard to the atrocities in the Congo State, is by no means full satisfied by the terms of the annexation, holding that no 6u(hcient guarantees have been given for a radical change in the system of administration and tho treatment of the people.