BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1930, Page 6

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

AFGHAN AND AFRICAN AFFAIRS

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"RUGBY, February 17. t AgTlvQ Secretary: - for India-..-am :■ the House of Commons was asked whether he had information'of the tribal . unrest on the Indian frontier and in Afghanistan, and when it was expected that the British Minister would be able to proceed to Kabul. He replied that a certain section of the Shinwari Tribe had captured the Afghan frontier post of Spina Kotha,/on the KahulPeshawar Road: on ' 10th. February but this post was recaptured by Afghan regulars on the 13tjJi. of February. Communications on the road was suspended during this disturbance but so far as lie was aware, it would now be restored. • The British Minister had left ...London this morning, and it was expected lie would be able to reach Kabul some ' time in March. ' -

Asked..,whet-ben;.! negotiations ,-lind taken place with the Portuegese Government regarding the construction of a Zambesi Bridge in Africa, Mr A. Henderson said that on the second of July last, Mr Osborne, British charge D’Affaires at Libson, had informed the Portuguese Government that-the-British Government had for some time past been considering the qnest-jo 1i• o.f:eon struettog sueh ;t n - bridge:;, and were contemplating the possibility of. guarantbeipgfrom Imperial ; ftrjids the necessary sums.

-Mr Osborne also expressed-the hope that in the event of the British Government deciding to participate in the venture,- the Portuguese Government would facilitate the construction of the bridge and generally extend their goodwill towards the scheme. Tn h reply, received'on the Ist of August the Portuguese Government pointed out that proper guarantees had already been given in connection with the existing concession. The Portuguese Government added that in the absence of further particulars, they could not make any definite statements but they gave an assurance that they were anxious to facilitate the projected enterprise in every way possible.

Air Lund (tinder Secretary for the Colonies') confirmed that Mr Christopher Barlow (Administrative Officer of ’•« Nigerian Political Office) died on nth. February from injuries received in an attack by Pagan tribes in Slumdam ditjisio-n of the Northern Provinces," death being due to a fracture of the skull, caused hv a stone. There was no connection between this occuranoe and disturbances in the Southern Provinces last December.