The Army Contracts.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume IX, Issue 1199, 26 February 1902, Page 3

The Army Contracts.

Discussion in the House of Lords.

HY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COPYRIGHT Per Press Association.

lleceiced this day at 9.58 a.m. London, February 25

In the House of Lords Lord Tweedmoutli recapitulated the adverse newspaper statements containing criticisms on the army contracts and moved for the appointment of a Joint Committee to inquire into all the contracts fur the outfit and maintenance of troop 3in South Africa.

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

Lord Ribblesdale, who was recently at the front, eulogised the efficiency and energy and conduct of the operations and said that an enquiry would strengthen the hands of the War Office.

Lord Selbornc said that an enquiry at present was inopportune and would cover hundreds of thousands of purchases, and many witnesses were at the front. Their whole time was needed to discharge their duties. Lord Rosebery, who stated the rearmost Opposition cross bench scathingly criticised tho postponement of an enquiry, especially on the purchase of remounts, until after the war was over, when the interest would be evaporated.

Lord Lansdowne said an immediate enquiry would be contrary to public interest. Lords Selbourne and Tweedmouth wished to restrict the enquiry to the purchase of remounts, meat contracts, freights and transport. Lord Salisbury said an enquiry would paralyse the machinery whereby the war was prosecuted. The motion was lost by 88 votes to 25.

The Times regrets the postponement of the enquiry, 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.