IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 12764, 17 March 1906, Page 5

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright THE ARMY ESTIMATES. AN TLLADVISED PROPOSAL.. LONDON, March 16. In the House of Couunozw'Major J. E. B. Seaty (Liberal member for Liverpool) moved to reduce the personnel of the army by 10,000 men. ' Mr Balfour; deprecated a reduction of the regulars before the projected supplementary organisation was created. Mr Haldane (Secretary of War) asked for time to effect economy—perhaps a year—on scientijao lines, and" with, due rega>rd to all parts of so large a subject. The discussion that followed among members showed that some reduction is expected, a<s the result of the feeling in many electorates. Sir H. Oampboll-Bannerman appealed to his more impatient followers to allow Mr Haldane a free hand in studying an intricate problem. He reminded the House that the Government policy was one of peace abroad. The strength of the army was dependent largely on their •external policy. He hoped that the amendment would not be pressed. Major Seely insisted on his amendment being put, when it was negatived by 296 to 56, The Opposition Supported the Government, bat many Radicals did not vote. The vobe for 200,000 men was then carried. (Received March 17, at 8.45 aom.) The Nationalists did not vote on Maj*r SeeJy's motion. LORD POLICY. LONDON, March 16 Mr W. P. Byles (the Liberal member for Salford North) will on Wednesday move a resolution censuring Lord Milner. Captain M. Kincaid Smith (the liberal member for Stratfard-on-Avon) will then move and the Hon. E. E. Fiennes (the Liberal member for Banbury) will second an amendment declaring that an attack on the policy and cor-duct of Lord Milner is all-advised at the present juncture, and calculated to revive and accentuate racial animosity. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICY. CONFLICTING OPINIONS.' LONDON, March 16. Mr Winston Churchill's speech on Chinese labor on the Rand has caused a reaction in South African shares on the London Stock Exchange, which is reflected in Paris and Berlin, where the deadlock over the Algeciras Conference has accentuated the repression. CAPE TOWN, March 16. Mr F. D. P. Chappin, president of the Chamber of Mines at Johannesburg, emphasised the serious responsibility assumed by the Imperial Government. Referring to the question of labor, lie said t&at if bad times came the whole community would suffer. 'The Times's' Johannesburg correspondent says that the presence and prosperity of tens of thousands of Britishers mean the integrity of the Empire. Withdrawal (he says) would spell the virtual toss of one or more of the colonies. Mr T. P. Thorin, president of the Afrikander party, in opening the Bond Congress at Ceres, raid that if the promise of responsible government to the two colonies wtje fairly fulfilled the Liberals would benefit the Empire, remove much of the past bitterness, and bring Federation nearer. He hoped that the Imperial Government would nave rhe courage to honestly accomplish tlheir promis?s regarding Chinese labor. He emphasised the necessity for education. The piospscts of Protection were encouraging. He was grieved that the consequences of the war and the drought had impaired the independence and spirit of the Afrikander farmer. WILD TALK. CAPE TOWN, March 16. (Received March 17, at 8.47 a.m.) The ' Cape Times' states that if Mr Winston Churchill's mischievous threat to interfere with the Transvaal GovernmeSt in their ultimate decision is anything beyond stage thunder, no colony will resist cutting the painter in a few years. LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS. LONDON, March 16. The Limited Partnership Bill was read a second time in the House of Lords. FORCED KAFFIR LABOR. LONDON, March 16. (Received March 17, at 8.23 a.m.) Mr John Ward (Labor member for Stoke-on-Trent) inquired as to the confiscation of the land of Kaffir tribes, and also as to the allegation that arbitrary procedure was meant to compel them to sell their labor cheap. Mr Winston Churchill promised an inquiry. He reminded Mr Ward that the situation in Natal had not ceased to be vne of emergency to the whok white population. .He added that the colony was in the enjoyment of complete responsible selfgovernment. NO ALLOWANCE FOR PRINCESS ENA. LONDON, March 16. (Received March 17, at 8.23 a.m.) Mr Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to Mr T. H. Sloan (Unionist member for Belfast), said it was not intended to make Princess Ena of Battenberg any grant out of the public funds.

THE ARMY