THE TRANSVAAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12909, 24 February 1906, Page 5

THE TRANSVAAL.

THE TREATMENT OF CHINESE.

United. Press Association—Per Electric

Telegraph—Copyright

Received 9.19 p.m.. Februarv 23rd CAPETOWN, February .23: Mr* Chaplin, president of the Rand Chamber of Mines,, courts the fullest enquiry into the treatment of Chinese coolies. H« condemns Sir H. 7 for assuming that the muting population-of the, -Rand are less humane than other Britishwa. Mr Chaplin states that owing to' tb*Kincrease of unskilled that of'skilled white labour rose in 1905 from 15.962 to 19.527. •' ' - -' •■■•■■'■■■■

DISCUSSION' IN ; THE'HOUSE OF COM- - MONS.

Received 10.54 p.m.. Februarv 25rd. LONDON. Februarv 23.

In the House of Commons.' Mr H. M. Forster moved an amendment fo the Ad-dress-in-Reply expressing regret that the Government, after bringing the country's reputation into contempt by allfging that Chinese slavery existed in the Transvaal, tock no effectual method for ending it. Mr Churchill admitted that it was not slavery in the extreme acceptance of the term, but it was an undesirable form of contract constituting a melancholy derogation of labour not hitherto tolerated'in the British Empire. The sudden deportation of the Chinese might produce economic collapse. He believed that the'.Transvaal

would decide against permanent retention of the system, and was certain to reject the impudent demands for extension. The Government were modifying the conditions of treatment. If the Transvaal continued the system under repugnant conditions Imperial sanction would be withheld from arrangements with China. The Government intended to cancel the provision for permitting the coolies to re-engage at the end of their contract. The three thousand licenses which had been granted but not signed on the 18th would be allowed to stand ;likewise the thirteen thosuand formally signed.