The Transvaal.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3143, 18 July 1901, Page 3

The Transvaal.

AN IMPERIAL COMMISSION.

'THE CLEANING UP,

KITCHENER’S PLANS

THE CAPE PREMIER HOPEFUL

United Press Association —Per Electric Telegraph —Copyright. Received 9.8 a.m., uly 18th. . LONDON, July 17.

Troper G. R. Miller, of the New Zealand local forces, has been appointed a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. The clearing up of the Eastern Transvaal proceeds steadily. Two thousand refugees are encamped eastwards of Pretoria.

There are indications that there is a substratum of truth in the “ Daily Mail’s ” statement as to Lord Kitchener’s intentions, inasmuch as Lord Kitchener has been sparing cavalry in favour of Yeomanry and colonial Rough-Riders, who are so well suited for finishing the campaign and for police duties.

CAPETOWN, July 17.

Sir G. Sprigg, addressing the Vigilance 'Committee, said the situation at the Cape is brighter than at any time during the ,war. Communications were passing be-

tween Lord Kitchener and the Cape Ministry, and the result, he hoped, would end the warfare. It had been impossible to summon burgher forces, as the Dutch were untrustworthy, and were often rebels at heart.

THE RETURNED TROOPS,

Per Press . iss iciath n-

&ISBORNE, July 18.

Arrangements had been made to give a dozen of the troopers who returned by the Tagus a good reception this morning. The Volunteers and bands were called out, but when the steamer arrived it was found that only one man was aboard, the others having remained behind at Wellington, and he stepped ashore at the first opportunity to avoid an ovation.

NELSON, July 18. Fifteen returned troopers 6y the Tagus arrived this morning by steamer. . Though a drizzling rain prevailed, there was a very large and enthusiastic attendance. The main street was decorated with art muslin and bunting. The troopers were met by the Mayor, and the More Men Fund Committee, and were heartily welcomed amid cheers. They were then mounted on horses specially provided, and formed a procession to the Cathedral steps, where a short religious service was held, and speeches of welcome and praise delivered. Afterwards they were entertained at an informal luncheon. This evening a concert will be given in the men’s honour, and to-morrow they will be invited to attend the Athletki and Cycling Club’s annual ball.

THE COST OF TRANSPORTS. In the House of Commons on June 6th, a discussion took place on the cost of transporting tfoops and horses to South Africa. Mr Dillon moved to reduce the vote for transports and remounts, £16,977,000, by one million. ,He asked for information as to the sums which had been paid for the transport of troops to South Africa. Rumours, pretty well authenticated, were flying about the country that shipowners had availed themselves of the necessities of the nation to raise their rates to an unjustifiable extent; The House was entitled to know whether this Was or was not true. In his opinion, the shipowners, in the event of a great crisis such as arose in the winter of 1899, ought to be prepared to cany troops and munitions of war at the. same .rates as prevailed before the crisis existed. If they had deliberately raised the rates it showed the greatest want of patriotism on their part. The second, ground on which he/ made the motion is that quite a preposterous amount was asked for. Last year the votes for transports amounted altogether to £10,600,000, and the sum asked for this year was £9,550,000. This, in hist opinion, was ridiculous, unless, indeed, the Government were making preparations for another year of war on the s;ime scale as the Just, and proposed to send another 100,000[men to South Africa.

Mr Brodrick, replying to questions, said the Government had embarked over 300,000 men without the loss of a single life, and over 260,000 animals. No country in history could 1 furnish such a parallel. A typical infantry transport, with room for 1250 men, cost about £SOOO per month, and a similar cavalry transport cost about the same. Coal and messing were additional charges. The greater number of these transports were engaged on passage. The others were hospital snips engaged at .the Cape or cross-voyaging, or for any contingencies ' that might be required at the Cape. Whether this subject was looked at from the point of view of the health of the soldiers to be removed from South Africa, or the transport of prisoners, or the rapid delivery of reinforcements at the seat of war, and which they intended to send when necessary, it was a wise, economy, and it was best that they should be fairly liberal in the matter of transports The transport to and had been admirably carried out, and must be continued at its present level until peace was established. Part of the estimate was for bringing home a large number of troops from South Afriqa in the course of the year. It would depend on the pace at which Lord Kitchener could release them as to whether the Government would use their present transports very largely or whether they would hire more transports. With regard to bringing back horses which had been sent out to South Africa, he was afraid many horses would find a permanent resting place in that country, and as to the great mass of ordinary troop horses, it was not the intention. of the Government to incur the expense of bringing them back. Sir J. B. Maple: Is it not a fact that you are bringing baqk horses at the present time? .

Mr Brodrick said,there might be isolated cases of officers’ chargers. The Government were sending out more horses at the present time. The average cost of hiring transports was now about 20s or under per ton, as (compared with prices which had ranged , from 25s to 30s, and at one period of great pressure to as much as 35s per ton.

Lord Stanley said there were two ways of conveying horses, one by means of Jong stalls with slings, and the other by means of short stalls and no slings. Both had been tried, and he thought it would probably be found that the( short stalls were the best.

On a division the amendment was re jected by 182 to 122.