THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11048, 28 February 1898, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

■•• " ———• ■ y IMPOETANT DECLARATIONS. JPres^ Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. London. February 25. Received February 20, at 9 a m.) In the/House of Commons Mr Labouchere mqvad a reduction of the vote for the Wast African frontier, force. 'He said that'Mr Cbamberlairt was defying France. ! Mr Chamberlain, Secretary for tho Colonies, in reply, Baid he had reason to hope that I the negotiations would result in a friendly and satisfactory settlement of the boundaries of the We3t Niger territory. The Government were determined not to allow the trade of Lagos and the Gald Coast district's to bo strangled, as ; that of Gambia and Sierra Leone had been. Frencd expeditions had spread, fan-like, over the region. Constituting a geographical and legitimate British hinteilund and the establishment of a fronj tier police force were absolutely necessary. I He further announced that the Cabinet was I absolutely nnitsd on the West African policy from beginning to end. Tbis announcement was received with cheerf. Sir Edward Grey said tho Government had no choice but to be firm. The amendment was negatived by 234 to 27. * (Received :February.26, at 9.15 a.m ) Mr G. N. CurzoD, Under-sscretary of State "for Foreiga Affairs, said that Britain had i suggosted- ta Germany that it would be ■ better not to release ex-King Mataafa until j the rebellion in Samoa had-been quelled., j (Received February 26. at 11.45 a.m.). i Mr Chamberlain stated ia me HvU3eof • OcnDDoufi. that' Germany had infringed the {'agreement entered into in 1888, and had i nccapied Yenai, ia the neutral zone of the ' Guinea districts of West Africa. The Governor of the Gold Coa6t thereupon was ordered to occupy Salag«,' the seat o£ the German mission in TJppsr Gaicea. Germ&ny then consented to v?ithdraw from Yenai, and Britaia withdrew from Salaga. ".. "February 26. (Received FebruKvy 27, at 5 p.vn.) ' In £he House of Comraots Mr Caizoa stated that the French Government had denied any intention to occupy Hainan or j establish a base in those waters. Mr Curzcm j also stated that the Chinese concessions to j Britain were of an explicit character, and ■ would probably be embodied ia a treaty. I In the House of Commons the Hon. W. St. John Brodrick, Secretary to" the War Office, explained the proposed army reforms, dwell- : ing especially on improved conditions for the ! soldiers. The general opinion of the House 'I was favourable.