IMPORTANT SPEECH BY MR A.J. BALCOUR.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIII, Issue 271, 30 November 1899, Page 3

IMPORTANT SPEECH BY MR A.J. BALCOUR.

CAPITALISTS AND TOE COST OP THE WAR. THE FUTURE OF THETRANBVAAL. LONDON, No Fember 20. Mr A. J. Balfour, First Lord of tbe Ireasorv, speaking al the gathering of tho National Union of Conservative! at Dewa^ry.sail that although it was affirmed tha'. the Boer War had been undertaken in the interests of capitalist, tbe mines would hereafter be taxed towards the cost. Great Britain's proffered guarantee of independence to tbe Transvaal in 1897 had been s orafully rejected by the Boers, who knew that ihe corruption in their Government wonld be exposed if the Uit'auders were enfranchised. Tbe war was simply a bold bid for Empire on the part of thc Boers, who had miscalculated upon European intervention. Mr Balfour declared that we wonld never more allow to grow np in oor midst communities of onr own creation wbich would be able to use tbe liberties we conferred npon then to arm themselves against ui. Thelfreedoin ani equality berto wed on all whites would show ihe Boers' children that thia war waa a blessing.