The War Vote.—Suakim Berber Railway,

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 97, 11 April 1885, Page 6

The War Vote.— Suakim Berber Railway,

The Secretary of War moved that the forces at the army depots be increased by 3,000 men of all arms He believed the £1,300,000 already voted would cover the cost of military operations in the Soudan. Th« number of additional men required for next year he estimated at 15,000. He believed it would be found advisable to construct short lines of railway for the transportation of troops and supplies around the more serious cataracts of the Nile. Hartington, moving for 3,000 addi tional men for the army, explained that the cost of the autumn expedition against Khartoum will be included in the expenses of the next financial year, and would require another credit. Before leaving the subject he desired to express the gratitude of Parliament and the country for services already rendered by General Wolseley and the troops. Continuing, he said General Graham's forco would disperse the rebels and occupy Osman Digna's position. General Graham would then open the route to Berber as far as possible If he reached Berber in time he would co-operate with General Wolseley in his advance on Khartoum. The Suakim Railway would bo purely a military structure, but would doubtless eventually lead to the establishment of a permanent line of railway. It would be an enormous advantage in the operation of the troops. Tho Government was making arrangements for shoi-t Hues of railways and a tramway in order to avoid the Nile cataract?. The cost of these would be included in next year's expenses. The motion waa carried by 98 to 21. On the motion fora credit of £942,000 for military expenses, Mr Pease (Liberal) moved a reduction of £100,000 in the cost of the Suakim railway. Northcote thought the railway was the key-note of the policy of the Government to establish an orderly Government in the Soudan. The Conservatives therefoie wished to keep the Government in tho objects it had in view. Pease's motion was rejected by 173 to 56. The minority consisted of all the Parnellites, one Conservative, and the remainder Liberals. A resolution to charge to India the cost of the Indian troops engaged in the Soudan was carried by SS to 23.