PORTUGAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14325, 15 October 1910, Page 5

PORTUGAL.

THE NEW REPUBLIC. ITEMS OF POLICY. THE COLONIES. LISBON, Oct. 13. President Brega says that the Republican Ministry will not consent to part with an inch of territory or lease it to a foreign power. Local autonomy will be established in the colonies. No pension or allowance will he paid to King Manuel. His personal property will be respected, but the Royal debt of £700,000 wi!ll be deducted from its value. Preparations for convoking the National Assembly will take five months. CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. Senlior Tellis, Minister of Finance, states that the Government do rot desire to destroy the religions sentiment, but only to compel the priests to confine themsselves to spiritual l matters. Independent schools will be permitted if the teachers are approved by the State. 0 SLAVE LABOUR. The Republican Government has promised to settle the forced labour question at the San Thome cocoa plantations with absolute justice and freedom to the natives. The Government has ordered the enforcement of the laws relating to free recruitment and the repatriation of natives on the mainland. Switzerland has recognised the Republic.