The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-05-09 00:00:00

THE WEST AFRICAN POSSESSIONS.

• -
The Debate on our future policy with regard to the West
Coast of Africa—interrupted the previous Monday by Mr.
Cross's Licensing Bill—was resumed. In accordance with
the arrangement suggested by Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Danbury
renewed his motion, which was originally made as an
amendment on Supply, as a stilistantiative Resolution. It
was to the effect that it is not desirable, in the interests of
commerce and civilization, that we should withdraw from
the administration of the affairs of the Gold Coast. It was
seconded by
Mr. A. Mills, who, though favourable to a withdrawal in
the abstract, maintained that we had contract, d engage-
ments towards the Natives which forbade such a policy, anti
all that remained to us was to consider how best to discharge
our duty to the Natives, and to this end he contributed
various suggestion.
Sir W. Lawson, in a lively and amusing a eech, moved as
an amendment that it is desirable to extricate ourselves
from all entangling and embarrassing engagements with
the Natives. The war, he asserted, had been caused
by our conduct to the King of Ashantee, and neither
civilisation nor commerce required us to remain in the
country. Commerce he defined as runi and gunpowder,
Mal as to civilisation, it meant that we should im-
prove the Natives off the face of the earth. We had beea
In Africa for several generations, and by all accounts the
Natives were an unmitigated set of scoundrels, though Sir
Wilfrid Lawson thought they had shown their sense in re-
fusing to fight. Auto the interests of religion, if we were to
attack the strongholds of Satiin all over the world, the Sup-
plementary Estimates would grow very rapidly.
After a lengthened discussion, in which several other hon,
members took Part,
Mr J. Lowther, who spoke on behalf of the Colonial Office,
adulated that the Protectorate was not self-supporting,
though he did not hold with Mr. Holms that this was
per se a sufficient reason for abandoning it, and also that
the climate could never be made suitable for Euro-
peans. These reasons of themselves would indispose the
Government to adopt any new or Quixotic obligations
which would lead to difficulties and dangers so justly
deprecated. Be was nit now prepared to announce any
definitive decision with regard to our future policy, for the
Government would wish to have the advantage of consulting
the naval, military, and civil officials who had the most recent
experience Total and immediate withdrawal, however, Mr.
Lowther said, was an entire impossibility. Under these eir-
ctuestances he appealed to Mr. Hanhary and Sir W. Lawson
to withdraw respectively their motion and amendment.
Mr. Hanbury was willing to withdraw his motion if the
amendment were also withdrawn ; but, though the Marquis
of Hartington joined in the appeal, Sir NV. Lawson replied
that If a motion was worth Making it was worth dividing
upon. Upon this Sir Rainald Knightley. observing that both
sides were anxious to avoid a decision, moved that the de-
bate be now adjourned. This motion was carried, on a
Division, by 311 to 70. On being called on to fix a day for the
renewal of the debate, Sir Rainald named the 31st of July,
amid much laughter ; and Sir W. Lawson vehemently ob-
jected, proposing instead that it be adjourned until the fol-
lowing day.
Mr Disraeli rose and said the subject was receiving the
daily attention of the Government, and, in fact, the future
policy had been settled in its large scope, though some de-
cue remained to he arranged. When the finat decision hail
been :arrived at it would be announced to the Home, and
that wcuild he the fitting opportunity of continuing the
pile&
sir Iv. Lawson thereupon withdrew his opposition, and
the debate was adjourned until the 31st of July.
Mr. Holt obtained leave to bring in a bill to provide a
summary remedy for certain eeclesiastical offences ; also a
Bill for amending the Act of Uniformity, and the House
adjourned at five minutes to twelve o'clock.

been stopped by an Order in Council. There had been no
alteration made with regard to the wriiers employed at
the Beard of Trade and at the Admiralty, but in the re-
organisation of the Board of Trade opportunities occurred
for providing for many of these writers on the establish-
ment, and in the Admiralty there had been a new class
lately added. There was no intedtion to withdraw from
writers in the Customs the same advantages given to writers,
as such, throughout the thivernmet departments. The
general question was under the consideration of the °event-
ment, and arrangements woribl sluntly he made.

ULSTER TENANT RIGHT, &C.
Mr. Initt moved for leave to bring in a Bill to make pro-
visions for more effectually securing the Ulster Tenant Eight
and to amend the Landlord and Tenant Act.

The Attorney-General for Ireland, in assenting to the first
reading, guarded himself against being supposed to ac-
quiesce in it or in Mr. Butt's opinions.
Leave was given to bring in the Bill, which was subse-
quently reads first time.