BELGIAN CONGO.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 651, 30 October 1909, Page 5

BELGIAN CONGO.

REFORMS. FREE tRADE-NO FORCED PORTERAGE. CRTJELTY DENIED. (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright.) ' (Rec. October 29, 10.10 p.m.) Brussels, October 29. In connection '• with the annexation by'Bel-' gium of the Congo- Free State—recognition ot which has been withheld by Great Britain and .the-■ United States until reforms have been effected-the Bslgian Colonial Minister has outlined a scheme oi Congo reform, which will bo carried out between 1910 and July, 1912. It is promised that freedom of "trade will bo established in produce of the soil throughout the districts .hitherto claimed as State property. Tho Government, will consider the advisability of re-buying concessions' that have been granted to companies. '

: In future, taxes will- be* levied in money.'Enfprced porterage will bo suppressed. It is declared that the charges of cruelty-against Belgian administration are false.' ' , [Tho main points of the British demands are freedom of., trade and the abolition of forced labour;(which has been onforced on natives as payment, of taxes). ' The United States Government recently refused to' recognise Belgian annexation : of tho Congo ' till; reforms in the administration. of the State are actually in force.] ; ....