THE WAR VOTE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7378, 3 February 1902, Page 2

THE WAR VOTE.

NETHERLANDS PREMIER'S SUGGESTION REJECTED.

TWENTY-THREE COLUMNS AFTER DE WET.

Eeceived February 2, 5.22 p.m. London, February 1. In a thin House, supply was carried by 159 to 56. A supplementary vote of five millions for the war was passed. The Right Hon. W. St. John Brodri«k, Secretary of State for "War, explained that the monthly expenses had fallen by Jei,ooo,OoO. The new meat contracts, owing to the more settled condition of South Africa affording greater facilities for distribution, has been made at three-halfpence per pound cheaper, representing a saving in 1902 of between £600,000 and £700,000. Lord Kitchener expected a saving of 30 per cent in local supplies. The Cape, in attaining the control of its own forces, had saved Britain a quarter of a million monthly. The blockhouses had hampered the Boers, enhancing the prospects of Lord Kitchener bringing to action the three chief groups of commandos. Criticisms by members were chiefly | directed to the subject of remounts. ' Sir Henry Campbell - Bannerman, Leader of the Opposition, praised the action of the troops in the field. Mr Brodrick announced that there were 237,800 men in the field on Ist January. The entire Cabinet sat two and a half hours, and adopted the Committee's reply to Dr. Van Kuyper. The rejection of his mediation is attributable to the absence of credentials binding on the Boers, there being no evidence that they desired his mission. Received February 3, 0.11 a.m. London, February 1. There is a consensus of newspaper opinion that the Continental papers imagined that Britain was tired of the war, and would snatch at any chance of peace, in view of the coronation ceremonies ; but they are beginning to denounce Kruger and Leyds' obstinacy. M. Blowitz, Times' Paris correspondent, interprets this obstinacy to a desire to convince the commandos that / England must face, besides the Boer I resistance, the moral suasion of Europe. Twenty-three columns are operating against De Wet. 1