IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11677, 10 February 1902, Page 3

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

United Press Association —Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

Received 5.17 p.m., February 9th. LONDON, February 8.

In the House of Commons, Mr Pirie, member for North Aberdeen, asked whether Bergl's contract had been transferred to Wernher Beit's people for £IOO,OOO. Lord Stanley said that the War Office were aware that a syndicate was backing Berel, and intended to float a company. He "found the syndicate equal to fulfilling the contract. He was not aware of the nature of Bergl's agreement with the syndicate. The sum of £200,000 had been deposited as a guarantee of the fulfilment of the contract. Lord Stanley admitted that Bergl had been fined at Liverpool for an offence which was outside army contracts. He was enquiring into the circumstances. Lord Stanley later on communicated a statement to the press, that the backers, who were reliable firms, guaranteed that if Bergl got the contract a company would be formed. A company had now been formed 1 and registered at Pretoria, with a capital !of £650.000, whereof £200,000 had been subscribed. The tender had been given to Bergl representing the company, which was now formed. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman's procedure amendment was negatived by 250 votes t-o 160 votes, and the second reading then agreed to.