THE ARMY CONTRACTS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7398, 26 February 1902, Page 2

THE ARMY CONTRACTS.

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE OF

LORDS.

Received February 26, 9.38 a.m.

London, February 25

In the House of Lords, Lord Tweedmouth recapitulated adverse newspaper statements and criticisms on the army contracts, and moved for the appointment of a joint committee to inquire into all contracts for the outfit, supply, and maintenance of the troops in South Africa.

Earl Morley, Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, admitted that a prima facie case had been made out for ultimate enquiry, but present criticisms were unfair in face of what "the War Office had done in difficult and pressing circumstances.

Lord Ribblesdale, Chief Liberal whip and a captain in the Rifle Brigade, who was recently at the front, eulogised the efficiency and energy of the conduct of the operations, and said an inquiry would strengthen the hands of the War Office.

Earl Selborne, First Lord of the Admiralty, said an inquiry at present would be inopportune, and would cover hundreds and thousands of purchases. Many witnesses were at the front, and their whole time was needed in the discharge of their duties.

Earl Rosebery, who was seated on the rearmost Opposition cross-bench, scathingly criticised the suggested postponement of the enquiry, especially on the purchase of remounts, until the war was over, when interest would have .evaporated.

The Marquis of Lansdowne, Secretary of State for War, said an immediate enquiry would be contrary to public interest.

Earl Spencer and Lord Tweednaouth wished to restrict the enquiry to the purchase of remounts, meat contracts, freights, and transport.

The .Marquis of Salisbury, Prime Minister, said an inquiry would paralyse the machinery whereby the war was prosecuted.

The motion was lost by eighty-eigh to twenty-five.

The Times regrets the postponement of the inquiry, and states that, after three hours' debate, the main point was almost overlooked, namely, the deplorable sluggishness of the Government for months to see that the struggle was one wherein mounted troops were of supreme value.