THE CONGO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 59, 28 February 1908, Page 2

THE CONGO.

'illli BiU'HSll I.OM.ILNMLAiS ■ AXTITLDL. I.UIUIi'JAVJ sPLLUI. Ltaciyed I'Vb. 2i, 11.18 p.m. London, February i'i. liic lluu-i- of Commons, utter a weighty debate, agreed to Air. Leif Jones' resolution, which described the administration in Congo as being .Instinctive of personal liberty, and did not economist, the rights of the native population or allow freedom of commercial intercourse with the outer world, which was guaranteed by the Anglo-Congolese Convention of 1881 and llerliu Act' of 1885. Sir Kihvi.nl lirey, Foreign Secretary, said that for thirty years no other external ijiieslioii hail moved Britain so greatly as the Congo question. The Coveriiiueiil/s policy had been to encourage a real and full transfer and an e/I'ccthe I'ariiaiueniary control. If Belgium refused to undertake the responsibility, he was not aware who could undertake the responsibility, lie did not believe Belgium would accept it or would accede to it nominal transfer of responsibility and control. Any semi-, transfer leaving the real control in the hands of the present authorities would not be regarded by Britain as a guarantee of treaty rights. A new authority must separate the administration from ■ the trading element. Taxes should no I to i...prove, the condition of the people. ' If forced labor or veiled slavery were ; abolished, ami (lie (iovernnient of the Congo were compelled lo provide funds for IIIP administration, he, was willing lo consider (he revision of Customs duties to facilitate the ta>k. Britain , desired Belgium's choice to he absolutely free, made with a full knowledge of ,° the actual position. "We will gladly , co-operate with the other Powers," he J said. America's attitude, he concluded, was most important, and could not fail j to influence opinion in liiuronc. •