SOUTH AFRICAN SETTLEMENT

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 19

SOUTH AFRICAN SETTLEMENT

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT.

MR CHAMBERLAIN'S MISSION. LONDON, November 6. Generals Botha, De la Rey, and* Schalkburger were keen listeners in the House of Commons to the debate on South African affairs. The £8,000,000 was voted without, a division. Mi Chamberlain, in a conciliatory but strenuous speech, declared that he was predetermined to listen while in South Africa to any representative men or body of men. He repelled the notion that the vanquished must be treated better than the victors, or put in a better position than before. The money voted was not intended as compensation for war losses. Our care, he said, was firstly t- thy destitute and secondly to those needing assistance to make a living. If more money was wanted the Government would not hesitate to ask for it, but not a penny would go to rebels. His aim was to weld kindred peoples into a great African nation under the British flag. Replying to Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man, Mr Chamberlain added that if distinction was necessary those assisting us in war must certainly be afforded favourable treatment compared t. those opposing. Sir W. V. Harcourt made a pessimistic speech. Sir H. Carnpbell-Bannerman recognised that Mr Chamberlain was going to South Africa in a riglx* spirit. He hoped his expectations would be fulfilled.

The Rev. W. Scott, who was Government Astronomer in Sydney m 1859, is still hvinsr in that city#