BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8103, 24 March 1906, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

CHINESE ON THE RAND. INTERESTING DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. Reoeived March 23, 7.58 a.m. LONDON, March 22. In the House of Commons, last night, extended consideration was given to the subject of Chinese labour in the Transvaal, and a spirited debate tuok place respecting the allegations of cruel treatment of coolies. Mr W. B. Byles, Liberral member for North Salford, brought forward his motion, notice of which bad been previously given, censuring Lord Milner in connection with the flogging of Chinese, whioh, it was alleged, arose out of the abuse of the ex-Commissioner's oral permission to inflict slight corporal Dunishment, suob as is practised in the publio schools in England. Mr Winston Churchill, UnderSecretary for the Colonies, moved an amendment to Mr Byles' proposition, condemning in general terms the flogging of Chinese, and inviting the House of Commons, in the interests of peace and conciliation in South Africa, to refrain from censuring individuals. Mr Byles, in the course of his speeoh contended that if Lord Milner condoned the offence.of flogging, every Pro-Consul would be encouraged to play the part of a little autocrat. Mr Chamberlain, amidst much interruption, brilliantly and passionately defended Lord Milner, and scathingly denounced the Derseoution of a great public servant with saoh a splendid record for a single error of judgment. The opponents of Lord Milner, said Mr Chamberlain, were vindictively trying to humiliate him, while they were afraid to impeaoh him. He explained that the suggestion "for corporal punishment came from Mr Evans, a protector of Chinese, and Lord Milner verbally acquiesced. Gontinning his remarks, Mr Chamberlain characterised Mr Churchill's amendment as "a cowardly and contemptible one," and said it was framed to oatch votes by attacking without naming Lord Milner. Mr Winston Churchill said it was cleer that Lord Milner had been guilty of a grave dereliction of publio duty in, sanctioning illegal flogging. While he admired the moderation of Mr Byles' motion, he questioned the practical utility of formally censuring a man who bad served the Empire so strenuously, faithfully and disinterestedly, but who is now merely a retired civil servant without a pension or gratuity. Besides, it was contrary to usage to censure a man unheard. Was it, he asked, worth while for a strong party to pursue him further. If the motion was passed, it would aggravate the social and raoial animosity in South Africa. Mr Balfour, ex-Premier, characterised Mr Churchill's speeoh as "an extraordinary self satisfied utterance." Personally, he infinitely preferred Mr Byles' attack to Mr Churchill's "insulting protection." The House, added Mr Balfour, ought to rejeot the motion and amendment with equal contempt. The motion was rejected without division, and Mr Churchill's amendment was carried by 355 votes to 135.

Six Liberals and five Labour members voted against Mr Churchill's amendment. Many Nationalist members abstained from voting. MR CHURCHILL'S SPEEOH. CRITICISED BY THE CAPE TIMES. "NAUSEOUS, HYPOCRITICAL, AND UNPRINCIPLED." Reoeived Marah 23, 10 p.m. CAPETOWN, Maroh 23. The Cape Times declares that Mr Winston Churchill's speeoh is nauseous, hypooritical, and unprincipled. A few years back Lord Milner's ideas were his. EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. Reoeived Maroh 23, 10.7 p.m. LONDON, March 23. In the House of Commons, Mr Murphy moved that the provision I I for Irish eduoation is insufficient and unsatisfactory in all branches. The Hon. G.. Wyndham considered that the opportunities for University training ought to be extended. The Right Hon. J. Br.vce, Secretary for Ireland, admitted that matters relating to education were unsatisfactory but he was not prepared at present to declare the Government's intentions regarding University training. Mr Long declared that there were far wider differences of opinion both in Parliament and in the country regarding University training than the debate revealed. The resolution was withdrawn. A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY, TO VISIT SOUTH AFRICA. Received Maroh 23. 9.48 p.m. LONDON, March 23. In the House of Commons, Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman stated that a Committee of Inquiry would visit South Africa, and advise new consti. tutions, especially with referenoe to franohise and the political needs of the Orange River Colony and the Transvaal. The Committee will consist of Sir Jos. West Ridgway (Chairman), Lord Sandhurst, Sir Francis Hopgood, and Colonel Johnston.

C ABLEJSTE W S. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.

A MAIL ROBBERY.

Received March 23, 8.45 a.m. ST. PETERSBURG. March 22

Men disguised as policemen robbed the mail near Samara, and secured £3,800.

LIEUTENANT SCHMIDT.

Received March 23, 8.30 a.m

ST. PETERSBURG, March 22. It is reported that Lieutenant Sohmidt was snot because there was no hangman to execute him.