THE HEBRIDES CONVENTION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8762, 13 March 1907, Page 2

THE HEBRIDES CONVENTION.

Press Association. —Copyright. London, March 12.

Replying to the Hon. A. Lytteltou Mr Churchill stated that Government neither accepted nor rejected Mr Lyttelton's scheme for tho ""Imperial organisation of the Colonial Conference but left the' matter open to discussion. Referring to tho New Hebrides Convention Mr Churchill declared that it had been malevolently criticised. It really only represented the skeleton of regulations about which Mr Deakin would be consulted. Permanent local regulations wouldthen be prepared giving effect to the Convention. London, March 12. - Mr Balfour commented on the fact that the Government regarded' indentured labour in South Africa as slavery, but elsewhere as social reforming. Sir Edward Grey insisted on the fact that recruiting in the New Hebrides was now subject to inspection and control. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman hotly declared that Government sanctioned nothing needing apology, excuse or explanation. An amendment to reduce the colonial office vote was negatived by 283 to 107. The minority included 20 Independent Laborites. The attendance of Unionists was unusually small.