BANNERMAN’S ATTACK.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 368, 19 March 1902, Page 2

BANNERMAN’S ATTACK.

DEFENCE AND COUNTER ACCUSATION BY BRODRICK.

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. , ~ LONDON, Mar. 18. ■ In the House of Commons, Sir H, A. Campbell-Bannerman in moving the appointment of a Committee of Enquiry into the Army meat contracts,, said that during the war out of 1034 million pounds expended in the transport of remounts, provisions, and clothing, one hundred and twenty mil--lion pounds passed through the hands of middlemen contractors-, besides 12 millions on remounts. Certain vested interests, hacked by powerful financiers, apparently had quartered themselves upon the War Office. Houlder Bros, seemed to monopolise certain classes of transport. Enlightenment was needed respecting the meat contracts, as to whether there was collusion between the two competitors. Mr J.abouchere accused the Government of paying rubbishy prices for, Queensland horses, and receiving rubbishy animals. He strongly attacked the Houlders, and described Bergl as a mere dummy. Mr Brodrick "said he was quite prepared for an enquiry at an opportune time, but at present it would be detrimental to the public interests to hamper the conduct of the war. Neither the Government nor the War Office knew anything of which they need bo ashamed, though it was admitted there had been some mistakes. It was unwise. to helieve newspaper gossip, or the cock and bull stories of disappointed contractors. He accused Sir H. A. Campbell-Bannerman of leaving the supply of artillery so inadequate. If the Government had gone to war 01895 they would have been obliged to’ clear out of South Africa after throe months. The debate was adjourned.

MORE TROOPS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 18.

The troopship Manchester Merchant has arrived at Durban with a detachment of the Commonwealth Contingent aboard. Within a month ten thousand troops leave England for South Africa.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

London, Maroh 17,

Lord Roberts has written to one of his correspondents stating there is not the slightest cause for uneasiness in regard to South Africa, nor reason to suppose that the war will be prolonged by recent eventß.