THE TRANSVAAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11670, 1 February 1902, Page 2

THE TRANSVAAL.

THE NETHERLANDS PREMIER AND PEACE PROPOSALS.

SPEECH BY THE LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR.

United Press Association—Psr Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. Received 9.28 a.m., January 3ist. LONDON, January 30. The " Daily Mail" is the only paper claiming to know that the Netherlands Premier asked safe conduct for the Dutch commission, and to assure fighters that European intervention is hopeless, also that the struggle is futile. The Netherlands Premier represented the despairing negative attitude of the delegates, who justify Boer obstinacy by citing the number of fighters still in the field. '

Reuter says that tho Netherlands Pre-, mier merely made a tentative suggestion to facilitate the conclusion of the war. The general feeling in London, however, is that nothing will be achieved until the •Beer belligerents intimate their desire to negotiate terms. The "Times," "Standard" and "Telegraph" denounced the news of the intriguing of the enemy as perilously near a legal oifence.

The Earl of Halsbury, speaking at Putney, said that the war is still proceeding, and the Boer delegates repudiate the idea of peace, yet the pro-Boers advise Britain to offer terms. He believed in doing what we are doing with all our might. The Government had determined to end the war, but to so end it that it would never recur, and bring not an insufficient but a lasting peace. The eagerness on the part of . the Maoris to help was an additional tribute to Britain's principles of freedom, equality and kindness to every race under the flag. The House of Commons Committee acquits British officers of bribery and corruption in connection with the purchase of Hungarian remounts, though it admits there was blundering. THE NEW SOUTH WALES PEACE SOCIETY. ADMISSION BY THE AUSTRALIAN PREMIER. Received 10 a.m., January 31st. SYDNEY, January 31. The Peace Society, numbering about 100 members, .has drawn up a petition expressing condemnation of the war as conducted in its liftter stages in devastating the country. and declaring against the destruction of innocent life in the concentration camps, The petition modestly suggests what terms Britain should give the Boers. These are amnesty for all offences except murder, immediate self-government, and compensation to non-combatants. A member pointed out that the last condition would cost about £40,000,000, and it seemed doubtful whether Britain would agree. Further revision will be made, and the petition for .compensation will likely be eliminated.

MELBOURNE. January 31. Mr Barton admits that lie cabled s£d per lb as tlxe price Australia could supply the troops with mutton. He states that he understood that the difference beween quoting in Australia and ex store in South Africa was about 2d per lb. THE EIGHTH CONTINGENT. Per Prflss Association. AUCKLAND, January 31. The Premier this morning was welcomed by a large public gathering. He has arranged that the North Island section of tli© Eighth Contingent should leave by the Surrey at 4 p.m. to-morrow, preceded by an assembly ashore and accompanied from port by a procession of yachts. HAWERA, January 31. One of the largest and most enthusiastic gatherings ever held at Hawera, toot

place .last evening, when Major llaitlettwas given a farewell social and presents', on behalf of the public, the Fire Brigade and the Oddfellows. The public presentation consisted of a gold watch inscribed. The Fire Brigade, ot which he was captain, gave him a gold albert and pendant, and the Oddfellows an emblem. Highly eulogistic speeches were made. In reply, Major B:\rtlett expressed his belief that the war was nearly over, and that the enemy were beginning to see that hope of intervention was daily diminishing. At the farewell there was a large attendance of the Hawera Mounted Rifles, of which Major Bartlett was captain. NuftTH, Jan. 31. Up to this evening the local recruiting board has received 200 applications for inclusion in the Ninth Contingent. WELLINGTON, January 51. The Wellington recruiting board for the Ninth Contingent will begin their duties on Monday. A large number of applications for enrolment have already been reNELSON, January 51. So far 36 men have volunteered here for the Ninth Contingent. THE FROZEN MEAT CONTRACTS. CHRISTCHURCH, January 31. A special meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held to consider the question of army frozen meat contracts. After considerable discussion it was resolved :—"That as the conditions for tendering and supplying frozen meat for the army in South Africa were unsuited to New Zealand shippers, this Chamber is not prepared to comment upon the action of the War Office in placing the recent contracts for frozen meat in Australia, with Argentine, options. The Chamber requests the Government to endeavour to arrange that special provision should be made in any future contracts for the inclusion of suitable New Zealand meat, and that ample notice should be given in the colony before the tenders close." Mr R. H. Rhodes, M.H.R., who po.es to South..Africa as an officer of the Eighth Contingent, has been complimented on his decision to do so by many meetings in the Ellesmere electorate. Some of the meetings voted Unanimously for granting him leave of absence from his Parlialmentatry duties, but most of them leave it to himself whether he, will resign or not. In any case the feeling seems to be that on his return his seat will be secured. A large and influential meeting was held at Leesto'n to-day. to consider the form of gathering to be held in Mr Rhodes' honour on Tuesday evening. A strong committee were appointed with power to act.

ASHBURTON, January 31,

An enthusiastic send-off was given to 14 members of the Eighth Contingent from this district. A luncheon was held, and addresses were given by the Mayor and members of Parliament:. The local volunteer corps, the Rifles and Guards, es'corted the troops, mounted, to the railway station, where a great crowd farewelled them.

Captain G. P. Wood, Recruiting Officer for the Timaru district, informs up that he has received 60 applications for enrolment in the Ninth Contingent. As the list will close on Tuesday, 4th February, those intending to apply should send their names in at once. The necessary form can be obtained from Captain Wood. Twenty men have been allotted to the Timaru district.

A writer in a Home paper says the cost of the war works out at £5 per man per week for all in South Africa, and he asks : Where does it all go? A London paper of- December 16tli says : —The Board of Education and the Scottish Education Department have: selected, at the request of Lord Milrier (transmitted through the Colonial Office) 100 women teachers for work in the South African Refugee Camps. The first party of teachers sailed from Southampton on Saturday, an;l a further party of twentyeight- teachers will sail on December 21st. Others follow in January.