BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1411, 23 March 1905, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE JAM CONTRACT. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright London, Muroh 21. In tho House of Commons, Mr Arnold Foretor declared, regarding the Australian jam contract, that tho conditions of war did not permit weighing at Durban. The examination was restricted to seeing it was not damaged by sea transit, and was fit to issue to the troops. Tho question whether thero was any shortage on the total supplies was now under investigation. Ho was fully alive to the necessity of relieving tho army of any general imputation of malpractices, and any individual guilty of misconduct or neglect would be punished without fear or favor.

Mr Lyttelton, in reply to Mr McCrao, explained thot tho delay regarding the Tranßvaal war contribution was duo to tho understanding that payment would be voluntary, and that tho development of the colony would not be impeded. It was unwise to ask for payment prior to the establishment of elective representative government. Ho anticipated that the contribution would bo made in good time. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach suggested that tho Government should tako security for this debt of honor by retaining the Government revenue from the Premier diamond mine and other mining rights. Mr Lyttelton explained that the Transvaal's war contribution was not recoverable by law. Received 10.47 p.m., March 22. London, March 22.

Mr Ainsworth, moving in the House of Commons to-night a resolution condemning any general duty on foreign manufacturers, tho Government decided, as its attitude already clearly defined, that all private members’ motions raising tho fiscal question in any form on private members’ evening, be left to the free, unfettered discretion of the House ; hence the official whipß wore not issued. A meeting of fiscal reformers dobided not to participate in tho debate or division.

In the House of Commons Mr Arnold Forster; in reply to Mr Woodhouse, said the War Office did not pay the Agent General or anybody a commission or remuneration of any Bort in respeot to orders placed in the Colonies for supplies in South Africa.