London.

Manawatu Herald, 24 October 1899, Page 2

London.

In the debate on the Address-in-Reply in the House of Commons, the Hon. P. J. Stanhope, Liberal member for Burnley, moved an amendment condemning the method by which negotiation with the Transvaal (3 overaraeQt had been carried on by the British Government. He accused the Secretary of State for the C.lonies and Mr o etiil Rhodes of having deliberately promoted tbe present war.

Sir William Vernon Harcourt, though he disagreed with this accusation, denied that Great Britain had suzerainty over tbe Transvaal.

Mr Chamberlain, in his reply, spoke with heat, and there were some scenes full of excitement whilst he was addressing the House. His speech occupied two hours and three quarters in delivery, and was a brilliant justification of the course of action followed by the Government. In conclusion he said the divergence between the Government and the Oppo. ition on the main issues of the Transvaal question were really very slight. President 'Kruger had appealed to the God of Battles and Great Britain believing her quarrel just, had accepted tbe Transvaal's challenge.

Tempestuous cheers greeted the Colonial Secretary's speech. The amendment was negatived by 362 votes to 125.

In the House of Common', Mr Arthur Balfour, First Lord of the Treasury, read a message from the Queen notifying the issue of a proclamation embodying the British militia for service, and also calling out the mi'itia reserves.

It is believed tbat 80,000 men will be summoned for garrison duty in Great Britain at a cost of a quarter uf a million sterling, thus affording a s-st of the War Gffi.e plan of mobilisation.