BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8102, 23 March 1906, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

PROPOSED MOTION OF CENSURE. TREATMENT Ob' CHINESE. Received March 22, 8.43 a.m. LONDON. March 22. Further cable messages have been received from South Africa, protesting against the proposed motion of oensure of Lord Miiner in connection with the flogging of Chinese, which it is alleged arose out of an abuse of the ex-Commissioner's oral permission to inflict slight corporal punishment such as is practised in the public schools in England. The Government will propose an amendment to Mr Bylas's motion, deolaring that the flogging of Chinese is a breach of the law, and expressing a desire, in the interests of conciliation, to refrain from censuring individuals. EXISTING, LICENSES. Received March 22, 8.40 a.m. LONDON, March 21. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Winston Churchill, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, stated that it was improbable the existing licenses would expire before the Transvaal was a self-governing colony. Re-enlistment under the existing ordinance was impossible. The whole matter would be considered by the future Transvaal, Assembly, and every oircumstance would be subject to a general review by the Home Government. AMENDING THE SHIPPING ACTS Received March 22, 7.26 a.m. LONDON, March 21. In the House of Commous a Bill amending the Shipping Acts was introduced by Mr Lloyd George, President of the Board of Trade, and read a first time. The measure —whioh was very favourably received—applies British regulations regarding overloading, unseaworthiness of vessels, stowage of grain, and the use of life-saviig appliances to foreign\ships. Mr J. Havelook Wilson, General Secretary of the National Seamen's Union, declares that Mr George's Bill is a step in the right direction, and said he considered the Australasian legislation on the matter was in advance of the British Acts. CHINESE ON THE RAND. MR CHAMBERLAIN AND A ROYAL COMMISSION. HIS MOTION DEFEATED. Received Maroh 22, 10.16 p.m. LONDON, Maroh 22. In the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain raised a discussion on the necessity of a Royal Commission to inquire into the economic and moral effects of indentured labour in the Transvaal, and said that the Government's policy will keep the question open for at least four years. It was unfair to keep the sword of Damooles hanging over the mineowners. The storm of indignation brewing in South Africa was certain to spread to other colonies yet. On the maintenance of good relations with the colonies the continuance of the Empire depended. Mr Winston Churchill declared that there was no use appointing a Royal Commission. Lord Selbourne admitted that improper and illegal practices had prevailed in oonneotion with the treatment of ooolies. If the conjunction between cosmopolitan capital and the immense reservoirs of Asiatic labour became permanent a deadly blow would be struck at the pillars of European civilization. Mr Chamberlain's motioa was defeated by a majority of 268.