THE COST OF RUBBER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 536, 25 January 1913, Page 5

THE COST OF RUBBER.

CRUELTY AND SLAVERY. London, Wednesday. Mr Read, a director of the Peruvian Amazon Company, giving evidence before the Select Committee of the House of Commons which is investigating the Putumayo rubber attrocitias admitted that £11,400 was shorn in the company's accounts as having been spent in repressing the Indians. There were also items for ransoming persons and keeping Indian prisoners. Mr C. Roberts, the chairman of the Committee: The accounts show that the Indians were valued like slaves, at £lO a piece. The witness declared that he had not examined the accounts. He could not say what had become of the missing account books containing details of the transactions in regard to the Indians.

In the House of Commons on Tuesday Dr W. A. Chappie, Liberal member for Stirlingshire, and late of New Zealand, called the attention of Mr Lewis Harcourt. Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the increasing efforts that are being made by Australia and Canada to attract the best agriculturists, and the increasing precautions against the emigration of the inefficient. Mr Harcourt, in replying, aaid that he was aware that it was sometimes considered that the emigration of agriculturists had attained excessive proportions, but a special committee would not serve any useful purpose. The Empire Trade Commission was inquiring into the matter.

Judging from . the attitude of both Liberals and Conservatives in the House of Commons on the subject of female tranchise there appears to be a reasonable chance of the franchise being obtained before a great length of time. In connection with the Franchise Bill at present before Parliament, Mr W. H. Dickinson, Liberal, has an amendment to give the vote to women over the age of 25 who are occupiers or wives of the occupiers of premises. This will enfranchise six million women. The Right. Hon. A. Lyttelton, Conservative, will proposo to add to the rolls the names of women who have the right to vote at municipal elections. Thia would have the effect of enfranchising a million women.