The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-29 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the HoUSE or LORDS. March 24, the Earl of Camper.
`down gave notice that on Tuesday evening Lord Lansdowne,
In moving his motion on the subject of the Zulu war, would
add to it these words:—" And this House regrets that, after
the censure passed en the High Commissioner by her
Majesty's Government in a despatch of the nth of March,
the tonduct of the affairs of South Africa should be retained
In Lis hands."

--
"Viscount Cranbrook, in reply, said that the motion to be
Drcposed by the noble marquis (the Marquis of Lansdowne)
'"ving now lost its ambiguity, he begged to give notice
her Majesty's Government will meet it with a direct
negative.
The Duke of Cambridge, referring to a statement in Lord
Chelmsford's despatch of the 9th of February last, eared the
/louse that, though his memory WAS good, he had not the
'slightest recollection of the private communication which
Lord Chelmsford in that despatch stated that he made
v;o him, in June last, as to the state of his health. No One
=at the Horse Guards had any knowledge of such a communi-
atl°o, and though diligent search had been made it could
inet be found. Up to the moment vben he saw the despatch
nf February 9, he thought Lord Chelmsford was in robust
health. His noble and gallant friend had suggested that a
Major• General should be rent out; but that was so ob-
viouslY a neCeSSary precaution that the Government had
anticipated it by seeding out four General officers on the
first opportunity that presented itself.
The Marquis of Salisbury, replying to Lord Stratheden,
said her Majesty's Government could not suggest a doubt as
to the futaltnent of the Berlin Treaty by Russia.
Replyteig to Lord Stratheden and Campbell, Lord Salisbury
also Eadtl Her Majesty's Government had withdrawn the fleet
Lrora tile Sea of Marmora because its presence there was no
necessary for the protection of Constantinople.
Their Lordships adtonrned at five minutes past six o'clock.
In the Hon= OE' COMMONS, Sir C. Mike gave notice of his
Intention to add to his resolution of censure on Sir Bartle
Frere a further expression of regret that after the Colonial
SecretarY's despatch of March 19 the conduct of affairs in
citxth Africa should be retained in the hands of Sir Bartle
ty Sir 1, Peel asked whether Lord Chelmsford's despatch of
- ebrunry 9 was in the hands of the Government when they
decided not to recall him, and whether they had any in-
/on:nation to communicate to the House with respect to that
despatch. To this the Chancellor of the Exchequer replied
that the Government had not received the despatch then;
and with regard to the second question; he said it was rather
uene to be raised in debate, after full notice.
In answer to Mr. A. Mills, the Chancellor of the Ex-
`:illeglier said he proposed that the house should adjourn for
e
the Easter hclidays on the Stk cl` April and meet again on
th 17th.

On going into Supply, Sir C. Nike called attention to a
variety of circumstances attending the occupation of Cyprus,
and asked for precise information on the state of the
finances, the eystem of administration, and the position of
foreigners under the Capitulations. On the authority of letters,
of which he gave the writers names, he asserted that the mili-
tar7 deipothim by which the island was governed was much
teas liberal than the Turkish rule ; that negro slavery existed
'on the Island; that the abominable system of forced labour
—enforced by flogging—had been introduced by us into the
qsland, and was rendered necessary, because, after pitying
.over £116,000 a year to the Porte, there was not sufficient
margin left for the legitimate expenses. On the same
authority, too, he complained of the mode in which justice
was administered, of the prohibition of liberty of speech, of
the increase of taxation, of the exclusion of Greek news-
papers from the island, of the refusal to allow English
barristers to plead, and he asked that inquiry should be
made into the truth of these allegations.
Sir J. Goldsmid asked for some explanation of the reasons
'shy Cyprus had been occupied, because, as he contended,
the reasons usually given—that it was to be a place of arms
for the protection of the Dardanelles, the Suez Canal, or a
railway across Asia Minor—were futile.
Mr. Bourke began by promising that all the specific
allegations made by Sir C. Dilke should be sent to Sir G.
NVolaeley and investigated' but he denied at once that
axation had been increased, and, with regard to forced
labour, he contended that it was much the same as the
'statute labour which was in force in some of our North
American Colonies and in the lonian Islands for the
making of roads. Care had been taken to avoid everything
in the shape of personal coercion, and Sir G. Wolseley
had just telgraphed that the ordinance had been put in force
With success in a district where military roads were being
)21841e- As to English barristers being admitted to plead, he
di not see they could be of much use before Turkish Judges.
He knew nothing of flogging having been inflicted, and he
id not believe that there was any law in Cyprus permitting
11 With regard to negro slavery, he did not believe in its
"3ristence, and it certainly would notbe permitted to exist a
Zing% hour after it had been brought to Sir G. Wolseley's
nowledge. The whole system of judicature was now under
the consideration of the Government, but would require
'some time to mature. Mr. Bourke then went into details
'With regard to the revenue, and said the Government had
received trustworthy estimates of revenue and expend'.
tUre which showed a respectable surplus, even allowing for
bublic works. With regard to the Crown lands reserved
?ander the original convention, an arrangement had been
;made by which they were handed over to us on considera-
lion of a payment in perpetuity of £5,000 a year. Among
'other public works to be prosecuted during the coming year,
for which power would be taken to raise a loan of £28,000,
he mentioned roads connecting various towns in the island,
extensive plantations, and a railway which was to be com-
Menoed by a private company. Finally, he vindicated the
'Occupation of the island as an act of high policy rendered
inecessary by the changes brought about by the late war, and
• 'Predicted confidently that it would secure all the objects
'Which the Government had in view.
After some observations from Mr. W. E. Forster, Sir G.
Balfour, Sir E. Lechmere, Mr. H. Samuelson, Sir G. Elliot,
Mr. Braasey held that, though Cyprus might be useful as a
coaling station, it was too unhealthy ever to be converted
into a PUCEI of arms. But as to the great value of the island,
Its fertility, and its capacity of improvement there could be
110 doubt, and, as we could not now abandon the policy
which had led to its acquisition, he hoped the Government
wokild lose no time in undertaking the necessary works.
After Sir J. Hay, Mr. Dodson Mr. Maclver, Sir W. liar-
-court, and the Attorney•General'had spoken, the Chancellor
of the Exchequer proceeded to maintain that the transfer of
the administration of Cyprus was of such a character as to
Carr)! With' it the power of passing such an ordinance for
regulating the position of foreigners towards the tribunals,
and before raising any difficulty it would be better to
.aee whether foreign Governments objected to having
'their subjects transferred to our tribunals. Defending
•ZenerallY the acquisition of Cyprus, he repeated that atnrong
other advantap,es it would serve as a model for the govern-
ment of Asia Minor.
After some observations from Mr. Herschel', the Solicitor-
G
eneral, and Mr. Courtaey on the legal point, the subject
`ee<repe d.
In Committee of Supply, a vote of credit on account of the
'Civil Service Estimates was agreed to, and some other busi-
ness having been disposed of, the House adjourned at two

In the 1105155 OF LORDS, March 25, there was a very
crowded and brilliant assemblage. The Peers themselves
Were present in considerable numbers, especially on the
Ilinieterial side. At the foot of the Throne was the King of
the Belgians, seated on a chair of crimson and gold. The
Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Hake of Con-
naught, and the bake of Cambridge were in their places on
the front cross bench. The Duchess of Edinburgh, the
Duchess of Connaught, the Duke and Duchess of Teck, and
Prince Christian were in one of the side galleries. The
Peeresses' 'gallery was completely filled, as were also the
benches appropriated to ladies outside the bar. No stand-
ing-roarn was left within the space round the foot of the
throne; and right hon. and hon. gentlemen thronged the
galleries set apart for members of the House of Commons
aftcl the space outside the bar.
Lord Lansdowne, in moving his resolution condemnatory
oe the policy of Sir Bartle Frere in declaring war against the
Zulus and of Her Majesty's Government for having retained
him in office after themselves censuring that policy, ex-
pressed his opinion that the annexation of the Transvaal
lhad produced a change in the feeling of the Zulus towards
this country. The correct policy for us would have been
defer as long as possible a collision with that people.
instead of pursuing that policy, Sir Bartle Frere had
Precipitated the collision at a time when affairs were not
satisfactory within our own South African frontier, and
when that frontier had been enlarged by the annexation of
thO transvaal. The terms proposed by the High Commissioner
to the Zulu King meant war, and a war of invasion; and the
'ear so brought about was commeeced with a force less than
that which sir Garnet Wolseley thought necessary for the
'defence of the colony nefore the annexation of the Trans-
vaal The Government had had no policy throughout. They
had told Sir Bartle Frere to exercise forbearance; but what
'eras the use of telling that to a man who had declared that the
time for forbearance had passed?
Lord Cranbrook, on behalf of the;Government, regretted
that the ultimatum had been presented without the autho-
rity of the responsible advisers of the Crown ,• for that reason
alone Sir Bartle Frere had been censured. At the same
'time Lord Cranbrook could not disguise his opinion
Lhat the period would have arrived when Cetywayo, who
1 grown very insolent, would have had to be called
loPen to disband a portion of his troops. While Sir
Bartle Frere had made a mistake in this instance, it
'Would not be logical on that account for the Government to
deprive themselves of the services of a man of such capacity,
sind to send out another who would have to begin the work
over
again. The Government did not wish to acquire terri-
tory, rally to make safe what they already had; and in
trteaving the disaster of Isandula they desired only to bring
•ut a peaceable state of affairs in South Africa.
Lord Blachford argued that Her Majesty's Government had
not been sufficiently firm. They had blown the right note,
but had not Bounded it sufficiently loud.
Lord Carnarvon pointed out that Sir Bartle Frere had been
sent out on a mission of peace, and said he felt convinced
that the High Commissioner had accepted his mission is that
tense, It might be that the High Commissioner had made
mistake ; but he sincerely hoped that Sir Bartle
Frero would not think it necessary to resign, because
.as he read it, the censure addressed to him by
the Secretary for the Colonies was not one on the
m.gtimatum, but on the act of sending it to the King without
'having submitted it to the Government. The noble lord
'having entered into lengthened details as to the circum-
stances which had led to the annexation of the Transvaal
when he was Colordel Secretary, concluded by hoping that
When this war was over the relations between this country and South Africa would not be allowed to drift, but that
her Majesty's Government would decide upon and pursue a
defined policy.
Lord Stanley of Aiderley strongly condemned the policy
Pursued by Sir Bartle Frere.
Lord Cadogan directed attention to the fact that the
inoble lord whose motion was before the House had assumed
that the Government had censured the whole policy of Sir
Bartle Frere. But it was not so. His act in sending the king the
ultimatum without having submitted it to the Government
at home had received their unqualified censure; but the
ultimatum itself were reserved by the Government for
further consideration.
Lord Kimberley contended that it was impossible to deny
'that the annexation of the Transveal had had much to de
'With the present difficulty. Events had shown it to be
exceedingly doubtful whether the annexation was a wise
Polley ; but it was fair to the late Secretary for the Colonies
to say that the measure had been adopted as the least of
probable evils when the preservation of one of our Colonies
was at stake. The great fault in the carrying out of the
measure was that a sufficient force was not sent out at the
time of the annexation. Sir Bartle Frere had shown himself
not to be in a frame of mind to take a calm and judicious view
of our relations with the African tribes. If we regarded as 'in-
sults to the British nation acts of the natives, which, in his
excited state, the High Commissioner viewed in that light,
there never would pass a month without a cause for war
presenting itself in South Africa. Sir Bartle Frere was told
by the Government that in their opinion a war might be
avoided, and was refused the reinforcements he had asked
for. His answer was that he was unable to see that war
could be avoided, and, acting on that opinion, he at once sent
his ultimatum. For having so acted Sir Bartle Frere ought
to have been recalled.
Lord Salisbury called upon their lordships to bear in mind
that the question before them was whether Her Majesty's
Government ought to be censured for not recalling Sir Bartle
Frere. The Government did not express any opinion on the
Policy of the High Commissioner. They did not think the
Present an appropriate moment at which to do so. He
denied that the last despatch sent to Sir Bartle Frere
answered the description given of it by Lord Kimberley. On
the contrary, the instructions contained in it were such as
were applicable to every agent of the Government in any
Part of the world. He did not believe that Sir Bartle Frere
would resign on receipt of it.
The Duke of Somerset suggested that it was an extra
ordinary thing if the Government were keeping a man in
South Africa to pursue a policy different from their own.
Lorl. Beacomfield denied that the Resolution before tile
House raised either the queF•tion of the policy of liPr
Majesty's Government or that of the mores' of the High
Commissioner. The pro - e the
Dosal really was to censure
Government becaute theyhhad retained in the post of High
Commissipner the man
w.fl, on the whole, they con-
sidered to be best quanfied or that position. Bad the
Government, in deference to the penic thehor, recalled
Sir Bartle Frere, the world would have been delighted, as it
always was, to find a victim. But they had nut re'c ilea Sir
Bartle Frere because they thought it their
slut i tile public
interest to retain him. The noble earl, amid
loud cheers,
concluded by saying that if their lordships placed the public

advantage above party considerations, they would negative
the raolution then before the House.

Earl Granville congratulated the Government on their
having announced annexation was not their policy. Since
the annexation of the Transvaal we had put ourselves in
the position occupied by the Beets previously; and a war
with the Zulus, with whom we had had peaceable relations for
forty years, was the result. If Sir Bartle Frere resigned, we
should be swapping horses in crossing the stream, and this
without having provided a horse for the rider to mount. By
the publication of their censure the Government had done an
injustice to Sir Bartle Frere if they meant still to retain
him; and, notwithstanding what the Prime Minister had
said as to the form of the Resolution, on the issue which
had been raised he was quite prepared to go to a vote.
Their lordships then divided, when there appeared—
Contents .. .• • • • • .. 61
.Non-Contents .. • • • • .. 156
31%jority against the Motion.. _gs
The ann mncement of the , numbers was received with
some laughter.
- • - • • - • -
_

Their lordships adjourned at five minutes to twelve
o'clock.

In the HousE OF COMMONS, Mr. E. Noel having asked
whether Sir Bartle Frere had joined in Lord Chelmsford's
request that an officer should be sent out who would be fitted
to succeed him, Sir M. Hicks-Beach read a private telegram
from the High Commissioner, dated January 25, in which he
stated, not officially, his opinion that "a second in com-
mand should be sent out capable of taking up his work in all
departments, if nesessary as Provisional Governor and
High Commissioner as well as General." Colonel Mare
asked whether any officer had been specifically named to
succeed Lord Chelmsford, to which Sir M. Hicks-Beach re-
plied that four Major-Generals had been sent out, and that
the senior officer would succeed to the command in case of
any casualty; and Colonel Stanley gave a similar answer to
a question from Mr. Otway._

In answer to Mr. Otway, Sir M. Hicks-Beach said he had
no information that the Orange Free State had refused aid
against the Zulus; but he thought it not unlikely, because
it was not a rich or powerful State, and borders on Basuto-
land, which is disturbed.
- - - -• •

Mr. M. Henry asked the Secretary of State whether it was
true, as reported in the Manchester Guardian, that the
Government intend to compensate William Habron for the
sufferings he has undergone by granting him a sum of £250.
Mr. Cross said that neither the Manchester Guardian-nor
any other paper was authorised to state that the Govern-
ment intended to compensate William Habron by the grant
of £250. :the mention of such a sum had never escaped his
lips, but it did so happen that he had that sum at his dis-
posal, and he was at the present moment in communication
with those who were extremely favourable to W illiam
Habron and very much disposed to help him as so how it
could best be expended for his benefit.
In answer to Sir G. Campbell, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer said that communications are in progress respecting
the recent crisis at Cairo, and the French and English
Governments are in perfect accord, but at present he de-
clined to go into details.

Mr. Samuelson, in moving for a Select Committee to inquire
into the Woraing of the Agrieultural Holdings Act and the
condition of agricultural tenancies, contended that for its
avowed purpose of securing to the tenants compensation for
unexhausted improvements it had proved a dead letter. A
Commitee, he argued, would ascertain by independent
tea' imony whether the Act has failed er not, what were the
landlords and tenants' objections respectively, and what
amendments were required in the law. If amendments were
required, he suggested, among others, that no agreement for
surrendering compensation should be valid unless is were
given for a valuable consideration; that the scheme of com-
pensation in the Act should be made more elastic; that
arbitration awards should be simplified; and that appeals
should be restricted.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps, but opposed by
Mr. O'Donnell, who moved a resolution to the effect that
there could be no adequate remedy for the present agricul-
tural depression which did not protect the application of
skill and capital to the soil by the establishment of compensa-
tion for unexhausted improvements, equitable appeal against
exorbitant rents, and security of tenure for the agricultural
classes both in Great Britain and Ireland.
After a discussion in which several hon. members took
part, Lord Sandon denied that the Agricultural Holdings
Act had turned out a dead letter, and quoted from the re-
turns laid before the Central Farmers' Club to the effect
that there were numerous cases in which its most im-
portant provisions had been adopted. He objected to
an inquiry as entirely unnecessary, because there was
nothing recondite or mysterious about the causes of
the present agricultural depression, which was confined
to the landlords and tenants. They were a succession of bad
seasons, a fall in prices, a wonderful harvest in America,
coupled with bad times there. He deprecated, therefore,
hanging out a flag of distress too soon, and preferred trust-
ing first to the enterprise and energy of the British agricul-
turists.

Lord Hartington supported the motion for an inquiry in
the hope that it would show whether the development of
agriculture was hindered by the want of security for
the investment of capital and by the restrictions placed
on the farmers by their agreements with their land-
lords. He desired also that the Committee should
include within its scope the large amount of land
held byjiroited owners. Commenting on the condition of
the agricultural interest and comparing it with the promises
held out to it by its friends the Conservative Government,
he expressed a hope, in conclusion, that the prospects would
encourage the farmers to take a wider view of their political
responsibilities.
The House divided, and the motion was negatived by 166
to 115; and on Mr. O'Donnell's amendment becoming the
substantive question, a motion to adjourn the debate was
made by Mr. Barclay and agreed to,

Some other business was disposed of, and the House ad-
journed at a quarter past two o'clock.

A formal sitting of the iloun oF LORDS was held on March
26, when the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill was read a
third time and passed.
In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Sir Joseph M'Benna moved
the second reading of the Convention areland) Act Repeal
Bill, the object of which, he said, was to repeal an Act
passed by the Irish Parliament in 1793.

Mr. O'Shaughnessy seconded the motion, and Mr. Marten
moved the rejection of the Bill.

Major Nolan, Mr. Blennerhassett, and Mr. Serjeant
Simon supported the Bill, and Mr. Cowen delivered an
earnest and eloquent speech in favour of it.
The Attorney-General for Ireland supported the amend-
ment, and after some observations from Mr. Shaw-Lefevre
(win supported the second reading), Mr. Parnell, Mr. James
Lowther, Sir J. McKenna, and several other hon. members,
the Bill was, by leave, withdrawn, and the House adjourned
shortly before six o'clock.

THE SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE FLOODS
IN HUNGARY.
Down to Monday evening the Mansion•house Fund
amounted to £7,900, of which £5,000 has already been
remitted to Herr von Tisza, the Minister• President at
Buda-Pesth, for distribution among the sufferers.
The Lord Mayor of London has received from Herr
von Tisza, through the Austro-Hungarian Ambas-
sador, a telegram stating :—" In Szegedin itself
about 60,000 and in the neighbouring communes
about 10,000 people have lost their homes and
the whole of their property. All these have
been temporarily housed in different towns in
Hungary, or in such villages in the neighbourhood
of Szegedin as have not themselves suffered, and they
will remain there until the subsiding of the waters
enables their return and admits of the reconstruction
of their homesteads. The gifts in money, clothing,
and food are in the first place applied to alleviate the
pressing immediate needs of the sufferers. The men
belonging to the working classes are provided with
remunerative work. The distribution of all the money
collected will be made when the return of the home-
less will be possible, and will be undertaken by a
mixed commission sent by the Government."

The Daily News correspondent at Pesth telegraphs
that the waters at Szegediu are falling very slowly,
and much anxiety is felt concerning the sanitary state
of the place. The German Emperor has subscribed
10,000 marks, equivalent to about £5OO, towards the
fund in aid of the sufferers, and the Empress has con-
tributed 4,000 marks to the same fund. A musical en-
tertainment is to be given at Berlin in the course of
this week for the same charitable purpose.

The inundations in South Hungary are still causing
much alarm. The Theiss has fallen, but the water in
the town of Szegedin has risen, and it is feared that
the construction of the dam round about the town can-
not be finished before the melted snow from the Car-
pathian mountains reaches there. The reserves of the
Honvad Battalion in Gyula have been called out and
sent to Deva Vanya, which is in fear of ruin, the
greater part of its neighbourhood being inundated.
Deva Vanya is situated fourteen miles from the
Berrettyo river. The inhabitants have not a single
boat at hand, and if the floods should reach the streets
none could escape.