Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1900.

Mn Hermann Vbzin, the wrll-known j actor, publishes a le'.ter m tho Era, j m whic'i le says! UXLUCKINESS. that his career as an actor has been spoiled by t v.e superstition of managers 'ha' he ia an unlucky man. A wri er, discoursing m the Spectator on this stctpmi nt, Bays that while a man c«n certainly he unlucky, m the majority of cases the iil-luck is only apparent, tho tmo exp'anation being some deficiency m the man himself of which he is totally unconscious. He knows i his powers, and he is aware of his weaknesses, but he :'s not aware of his causes of failure. He may for example, be a really able man, with every capacity.for success, except a certain inability to understund the character of other men or women. Or the able man has a habit of procrastina tion of which he is wholly unaware, which leads him always to miss the moment of opportunity, the commonest of defects m able yet unsuccessful generals ; or he is liable to what the French call entrainements at.d the English " ru«hee," which leads him into blunders that all his intimates declare to be "positively mexplicabla." Tho ablest human being we ever knew hud a way of dressing himself, always m unconsciousness, which twice cat him a great career; while another singularly competent man spoilt every chancfe by a temper whic'i was m reality nothing but whimsical, but which caused all employers to pronounce him hopelessly 'unreliable.' We should say, indeed, that the realiy able were specially liable (o one of the moat ruinous of all vices or foibles, incurable indo'enco, while everyone knows a few quite competent men who never sue ceeded because th^y lost opportunities through an indifferenca of which they were totally unaware. Stiil, though wo recognise all these, and many more, causes of failure, we cannot but admit that there are men who are genuinely " unlucky," with whom, that is, the current of events for boiho inexplicable reason always collide?, who are always injured m an accident from which others e*C4pe, whose cabs break down when driving to important appoint ments, whose investment? which seem most reasonable are always swept away, whose relatives are blisters, and whose friends causes of expense. The writer had once an intimate friend who firmly believed of himself that the offchance of misfortune always happened to hira, and always would happen, and it was exceedingly difficu!t for anyone who knew his history to doubt that he had reason for his superstition. And the writer know well another man—indeed, he published an account of hia adven tures —who passed somo eight times m life through accidents which would infallibly have killed anyone else, with out a scratch, and who hud, then fore, Olive's belief that he was destined to something—which turned out an illusion. We know that there are laws which regulate chance, and we know that, there are long intervals when they seem to be defied, and there is no perceptible reason why a man's li c should r<ot be lived within the influence of one of the intervals, favourable or the reverse. If he can throw aces or dtuces ten times running, why should he not come to grief m ten consecutive incidents of life? There is no reason prrc-ptible why m the great Provi dential scheme chance should be allowed to enter, but then there is no reason why in&anity should, yet both do enter. We may humbly wait for explanation, but we see no use m denying the common experience of mankind.

Local and General.

( * # * On the first page to-day will be found j a report of the Addington stock market and I Messrs Friedlander Bros.', Ltd, report on the Ash burton stock market; on the fourth page a short etory. War Brought Home to Us.—-Trooper Counell, whose death is reported m this issue, was a nephew of Mm G. B. Jnglis, of the Manse, Ashburton. This brings the dread reality of war home to us m a way that is more telling than any ordinary report of casualties m action. Handsome Offer.—Mr G, A. M. Buckley, Ligmhor, expresses his willingness to mount any mm fiom the Ashburion district, if m want of a horae, who Bhall volunteer for the third contingent and be accepted. Swine Fever. — The agricultural department has issued a circular regarding the outbreak of swine fever, urging owners to immediately report any illness among their herds, and pointing out the penalty fur neglect!.—Press Association telegram. Pupil Teachers' Examinations, 1899.— The following loco.l candidates hava passed their respective yeara (* signifies passed with '■ morit):-End of eeoond year -Lucy Duff, Msthven ; * Olive M. Meddins, Aahburton. End of third year—* Catherine J. Breeze, Aahburton ; Annie Q. McDonald, Hamp. stead ; * May Stanley, Rakaia South. 1 he A.£.C. & A.O.—A committee meet ing of the Ashburton Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club was held m the Orange Hall on Tuesday evening last, Mr F. Tucker, captain, m the chair.. After transacting vurious business, the club decided to do all J m its power to help the Patriotic Sports to be • held m the Ashburton Domain on February 1. The Club is to be represented by two of its members at the championship meeting to be held m Wellington next month. Swimming.—The Swimming Club Com mittee met last) evening—Mr Jeeßon, and later the captain Mr P. Orr, m the chair Messrs Duncan Cameron, T N. Grange and M. Lagan wrote accepting positions and for warding donations to funds. A hearty vote f thanka was passed to these gentlemen. The Club decided, m lieu of their usual sports, to hold a " more men " gala m the Domain Baths on February 22, no charge for admission to be made bu fi a collection to be taken m aid of the Canterbury War Fund. The Committee hope the public will second their efforts. Literary Society —The weekly meeting of the Ashburton Catholic Literary Society was held m the boys'school on Wednesday evening, there being a fair attendance of members. Mr R. J. Henry {vice pre iden!) oo'-upied the chair. The secretary reported the reaeipt of books for the Society's library from Messrs D. Brick and D. Jones 4 vote of thanks was passed to the donors for their gifte. The programme for the evening, which took the form of a "Camp Social," was then proceeded with. As ia the custom with these socials the members came m the most ragged clothes obtainable, accompanied by a swag and m some cases a black billy. The scene m the schoolroom gave one the impression that he had come across a party of picknickers. During the evening the camp was kept merry by the rendering of Bongs, recitations, and other amusing items. The meeting was brought t.o a close m the usual manner, all having gpeut a moat pleasant evening.

TRANSVAAL WAIL

The Danger of Delagoa Bay.

\n f xtraordinary >* (ateraent Big Guns and * hells for the Boers A Yictoiian Killed. A German Shipping Agent Mobbed A * Conciliation 5' Committee The Imperial Yeomanry. Australian Bushmen Wanted as Scouts, United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright. Capetown, January 16 RimJtigton'B scouts eluded the Boers, visited Norval s Pont and obtained information. London, January 17 Tho Natal correspondent of The Times states that a French steamer m December landed six Oreuzot " Long Toms" and fifty tons of shells at Delagoa Bay uuder the noses of two British war ships. Mr Leonard Courtney, Mr Selous, the African hunter, Mr Henry Stephen Gladstone, Dr Clifford, and others have formed a Conciliation Committee to promote peaceful settlement of the South African troublo. Three thousand Yeoma«ry sail at the beginning of February. A number of Anglo-Australians desire to join the Bushmen's Contin gent. Lon»on January 16 Twenty-four of the largest hotels m the French and Italian Riviera offer accommodation to the British wounded. The War Office corrects the infor mation that Victor Jones, of the Queensland force was killed at Sunny sidp. It was Arthur Jones, of Cam perdown, Victoria, No less than thirty one members and eighty one brokers' clerks of the Stock Exchange, have volunteered for' active service. A German member, who is also connected with a leading shipping company, was mobbed by his British confreres for not keeping berths open for those of their number who are proceeding to South Africa. MajorUeneral Sir Frederick Car rington has been ordered to South Africa. Durban, January 16 A fourth armoured train has left Durban. Melbourne, January 17 A resident of Gippaland has received a cable message from London asking him to equip twenty five bushmen as scouts for Lord Ohesham's force The Government have decided to form a Bushmen's Contingent. Eleven hundred have enrolled.

The Colenso Battle.

Deeds of Heroism. (Received Wakapuaka Jan. 17, 915 p.m This Office 11.0,p.m) Hobart, January 17 The Papanui arrived at 1 p.m. She brought C*pe files to December 27. Furthor particulars of the fighb at Oolenso show that the volunteers and irregular forces behaved admirably under trying circumstances. The men advanced with little cover, under a heavy fire from an entrenched and invisible enemy, and without; artillery support, notwithstanding which they exhibited pluck and coolness which would havo been a credit to veterans; Thorneycrofc's troop faced a heavy cross fire and l.st one officer and four men killed, seven officers and twenty seven men wounded. A squadron of the Imperial Light Horse had a warm time and then dismounted. Moving m extended formation across the level country they were surprised by a heavy rifle fire from an invisible enemy, apparently four hundred yards distant. The men immediately fell flat on the ground, subsequently retiring and losing three men killed and seven wounded. The South African Light Horse were stationed two miles from Oolenso and received their baptism of fire whbh they found very distressing. Two officers were wounded and four troopers killed and nineteen wounded, with two officers and eleven men missing and forty horses shot All the officers and men behaved grandly, and acts of heroism are reported. Lieu* tenant McK'iy, ot the Carbineers, was wounded, and Trooper Young, under a heavy fire, carried him fifty yards at the imminent risk of hid life. Lieutenant Ponsonby, who was ordered to retire, remained behind with a wounded man and dressed his injuries. He then tried to carry him to safety. Whilst thus engaged his helmet was perforated by a bullet. The injured man's life was short, a bullet lodging m his stomach and causing death. Lieutenant Ponsoaby tc«k shelter for the time and then passed on, receiving an arm wound, and his coit was per., forafed Seeing his condition a Boer advanced within a short distance to make sure of bis victim, but Ponsonby shot him dead with his revolver. Private Dowling discovered Sergeant Sheridan woanded and carried him half a mile out of danger. Lance Corporal Farrell made two trips into the field under a hail storm of bullets and brought two wounded men m, but not before dress ing their wounds.

Embarkation of the New South Wales Contingent

(Received Wakapuaka Jan. 16, 10.25 p.m, This Office 11 21 a.m) Sydney, January 17 The departure of the troops was a magnificent and inspiring scene and m glorious weather. It was estimated that there were three hundred 'thousand spectators. Four thousand troops paraded and formed a procession o£ over a mile long, and conducted tbeir comrades to the point of embarka tion. Although all the troops were aboard, the Moravian was the only i steamer that sailed, The Southern Gross j and Maori King, which has the Queens land contingent, who took part m, the

procession, will probably sail to-night aud 'he Surrey to-morrow. The I streets were bright with bunting and a concourse lined the, slopes of the <!omaiu overlooking Woolioomooloo' Bay, where tho embarkation took place. The enthusiasm was even greater than on the first occasion. Altogether 738 locil troops and nnrses embarked, and 700 horses weie shipped.

Two New Zealanders Killed.

AvCKLAW, January 17 The General Manager of the South British Insurance Company, late this afternoon, received the following cable from Capetown :—" In a gallant charge by the New Zealanders, Troopers Oonnel, of Auckland, and Oourley, of Dunedin, were killed." J Oounell jainrd from the Auckland College Rifles, and was aged 23. He was a son of the late Mr J. Aitken Connell.

Gallant Charge by Yorkshires and New Zealanders.

Seventy-One Boers IBayonetted- Received Wakapuaka Jan. 18, 9 10 a.m. This Office 9.48 a.m. London, January 17 A Reuters message says that the j Boers on Monday tried to storm a hill held by a company of the Yorkshire Regiment and a few New Zealanders, commanding their position near Rens. burg. The Boers, under the protection of a heavy fire, crept towards a low wall covering the Yorkshire?, but when the enemy's final rush was imminent, the Yorkshires leapt over the wall and charged with their bayonets, Captain Madocks and ten New Zealanders gal lantly cooperating. The Boers fled, tumbling over one another m their efforts to escape the bayonet. Twenty one were killed and fifty wounded.

Severity of Boer Losses at Ladysmith.

Heavy Artillery Firing Bullet's Z&ovements (Received Wakapuaka Jan. 18, 9.20 a.m ThU Office 9-56 a.m) Durban, January 17 As proving the severity of the looses sustained by the Boers on the 6th inst. at Ladysmith, the British assisted to carry ninety Boers off Waggon Hill alone. Thirty-three of the Natal troops were wounded on the 6tb. London, January 17 The Times correspondent wires that very heavy artillery firing was heard op Monday m the direction of Springfield, whence General Buller advanced. Censorship over messages will be of an extreme character until General Buller notifies the result of his move ments.

General Buller Reports

How Zealand Bifies Stedfast. Losses by tlio Yorkshires Hew Zealanders Complimented by General French- Received Wakspuaka Jan. 18, 9'sa.m, This office 10.30 a.m) London, January 17 Sir Redvers Buller m reporting casualties, incidentally mentions having made a reconnaissance on tSie Tugela river at Springfield on Monday. Lord Ooherts reports that the New Zealand Rifles hold tho hill at Bens burg, a detachment of the Yorkshire Kegiment supporting. Fix of the latter were killed and five wounded. General French complimented the Nrw Zealanders by telling th«ra that on all occasions their conduct merited the highest praise. Capetown, January 17 Martial law has been proclaimed at Hopetoun, Phillipton, and surrounding district. Many Boers have left Storm berg for Colesburg.

An Order Rescinded.

Queen of Swaziland Plotting "With the Boers (Reoeived Wakapuaka Jan. 13, 10.40 p.m This Office 110 p.m) London, Jan. 17 The order summoning British offi cers serving m Egypt to South Africa has been rescinded. Oafetown, January 17 The Swazi Queen mother, whose ! death is contradicted, has killed all the ! chiefs who visited England and the Oape. She is now plotting with the Boers.

Cable from the Agent-General.

The New Zealanders' Gallant Charge at SHngersfonteiu- United Press Association —By Efeotric Telegraph Wellington, January 16 The Premier has received a cable from the Agent-General dated London January 17, 5 p m, te the victorious charge at Slingersfontein m which Oaptain Madocks and the New Zea- Janders behaved most gallantly. It is officially recorded that Geuoral French conveyed his cordial thanks to the men The Governor has received a cable from Mr Chamberlain stating that the New Zeaianders distinguished them salves at Rensburg,

(By San Francisco mail at Auckland )

Wellington, Jauuary 18 Telegraphing on December 20, the Daily jVerc/scorrespondent states that Lord Methuen intends to remain at the Modder river three weeks longer. From Boer sources, hitherto singularly well informed, I learn that eight) thousand European officers and men, skilled m modern military tactic?, particularly artillery, are : now at Pretoria m reser^n. ' Our administrative officials m the G»pe service, just returned from relieving duty m Dutch districts, say that the news of the British reverses was received with groat joy, even m districts where there is no open revolt. The testa of the wireless telegraphing at Modder river were a complete success. Com municaton over seventy miles was estab lished. The United States wftr departmenb will sand no more troops to the Phiilipines, Aquinaldo is said to be only a day m advance "f the pursuing troops, and hia wife died from hardship and fright. An official com munication as to the capture of Aquinaldo and the end of the rebellion remains to be verifled. New York barely escaped a severe financial panic owing to a draiq of ipeoie for EogUndi

The Grievances of British Subjects in the Transvaal

Referring to a recent article ia this j iuroal, commenbiDg upon the ignoraoce uoaceruiog the B-iftf trouble exhibited by so mawy British subjects, we publish below a statement of the who'e potiiion by Mr Dr.ige, M.P. for Derby, m the House of Common . This very aMe spe^oh was rpade m ihe Commons on October 17—just three tliya after the Boors declared war—and it haa bc> n published m loe fl.=>t form by the Imperial South African Association, a» Association whose olj-eta are "to uphold British supremacy and to promote the iiis.eresia of B ilk.li eulj^cts m iSouih Africa wi'h fall n cognition of colonial self government." As on*j mode of furthering thtir objects this leaflot has been forwarded apparently to members of all legislative bodice under the Br.tish Crown, and we are indebted to the Hoa, Major Steward, M.H.R , for the copy now before us, from wbioh we repriub the speech of Mr Drage, which, we may say, ia copiously supported by quotations from authentic documents he said :— The hon. member (Mr Dillon) who ms just sat down haa challenged the members on this side of the House upon a number of distinct points. It might possibly be thought that ib was not the duty of hop. members 'on this side 'of the House to take up such a challenge had ib not been for the hon. Mem ber's reference to the foreign, colonial, and the American Press, If such a challenge is not taken up it may be concluded by the foreign Press and by the Irish papers that no answer can be given to the allegations made. Upon an occasion of this kind one would be glad to avoid matter* of personal controversy amongst hon. gentlemen opposite, and I will use my best endeavours to gay nothing that can give any cause for offence to those hon. Members opposite, who, from patriotic motives, are supporting the Government upon the present occasion. Iwi 1 deal, first, with the grievances of the Uitlandere. The hon. Member for East Mayo stated that the only grievance which had been laid down by I the Duke of Devonshire was that connected with the franchise, and he said ha would be glad to know what the others "were. In regard to numbers, the Uitlandere represent between one-half and three-fourths of the population of the Transvaal, and although they pay from five-sixths to nine-tenths of the taxation of the country, they have no Bhare m the government. With regard to this question of taxation, I may point out that it has been laid down m the Blue Book that the taxation paid by the Uitlanders is more than £16per head, "a burden probably | unparalleled m any other country," and aboub 90 per cent of the Uitlanderß are ; British subjects*. With regard to freedom I of the Press, such a thing does not exist m the Transvaal. According to the Press Law of 1896, read In connection with the amend ing law of 1898, the President of the South African Republic can, on the advioe and with the consent of the Executive, forbid the circulation of printed matter entirely, or for a time, at his discretion, and it is within his power to prohibit the circulation of any newspaper he chooses. This power has been exorcised more than once. Open-iir meet ! mgs can only be held with the sanction of | the Government, and indoor meetings can be broken up by order of the police m terms of the law. Next, there is a grievance which raises the 'question of religious rquality. In answer to a question asked m Ju'y last, the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs stated that under the constitution of the Transvaal no Roman Catholic can ever be admitted to ba President, or a member of the Executive Council, or a member of either of the Ra ds. . The right hon. gentleman also added that he thought this law for theexclu-ion of Roman Catholics applied to officials as well. It is true some people gi?e another interpretation to that, but I believe it is a fact that no Rom&n Catholics are appointed as officials m the Transvaal. The hon. Member for East Mayo haa referred to finance. Now it i% admitted, even by ihe irquiries which have been conduced by the Transvaal Govern ment, that the administration of the finances ia b*id and corrupt, and that there is no proper system of audit or control. Ou j this point- wo havo the report of the Insp.-c ---' tor of Gffioes m 1897, m which he states that the defalcations of cffi^ials amounted to . £18 590, and Ooly a few hundreds had been recovered. Between 189? and 1898 the de bates m the Volksraad Bhow that on ad vances to officials there ia no less than £2,398 500 unaccounted for. The 8f cret service fund, according to the e-tinmte for the current year, amounted to £36,000, which is more than the amount voted m the British Imperial estimates ; yet that sum j has been habitually exceeded. In 1898 it amounted to £42,500, and m 186 to £191 800. So much for the finances of the Republic. There is another question whioh I thin* will appeal to horv gentlemen opposite, and that is the administration of the Lqaor law. The JL/quor Lw was passed m 1897, but it wai habitually evaded. Under that law only 88 licenses were allowed m Johannes burg, but, as a matter of fact, no less than 438 licenses were granted, A Transvaal Commission haa reported on this subject, and they point out that this abuse of tho Liquor Law has resulted m the ruin of a large portion of the native population, m disease, accidents m the mines, and other crimes, and the Commission also point out that from 20 to 30 (unofficial figures give 30 to 40) per cent, of the natives employed m the mines are incapacitated owing to this abuse of the Liquor Law. An attempt was made by Mr Ewald Essalen, one of the most enlightened of tie Boer leaders ia the Transvaal Republic, who saw the blot this was on his Dative country, to remedy it, but m vain. The next grievance is that connected with the appointment of judges. The judges are all subservient to the President, and can be dismissed by him at pleasure, and, m the words of the present Chief Jußtice, the oath whioh they are called upon to take is one which no man can take with self-respect. Perhaps hon. gentleman opposite are not aware that there ie no trial by a jury of his i peer 3 for the Ditlander. Then there is a very important grievance with regard to the administration of the police, whom Sir Alfred Milner has described as harsh and arbitrary it their treatment) of individuals whom they happen to dislike. I am not going to refer to any controversial subject, and I am not going to touch upon the Edgar trial, but I think the case of the murder of Mrs Applebe shows that intense hatred wjw Caused by the denouncement of the abuses for which the police aro peculiarly re sponsible, and it also shows that murder can be committed under circumstances m which it should have been easy to apprehend the murderer. Then there is the treatment of British coloured subjects m the Transvaal under the Pass Law. It is well-known from such cases as that of the action of Field-cor net Jiombaard, that the police can enter houses without a warrant, and can treat people with the grossest brutality, and, though temporarily dismissed m consequence, afterwards be reinstated. There is a very serious hardship for British subjects, and ib is an infringement of their rights under the Convention of 1884. Another hard ship, also an infringement of that Convention, is cui^ed by $he Alitn Expulsion Act of 1896, under which the President has power to expel any Uitlander without any trial whatever. The hon, member for East Mayo must) nob complain, because he has challenged us to give these abuses, and those which I am giving are all to be found m the Blue Books. With regard to commandeering, hon, members opposite are aware that the Transvaal Government has claimed the right m time of war, either to compel the services or to se'zi the property of British subjects, and to levy a special war tax upon them* It is perfectly true that objection was taken to this by Sir Henry Loch, hufe there has been r.o change m the law, and we have seen, within the last few weeks, what can be done under the law as ib stand?. Then, again although the English language is generally used, yet ib is forbidden m public documents and proceedings. In schools it may not bo uaed after Standard Ilf, and the regulations are such that, out of £65,000 which is raised m Johannesburg, only £650 is spent on British children, and no grant; is made to the voluntary schools, which are some of the most excellent schools m the Transvaal, and they are conducted, m some oases, by the co-religionists of the hon. member opposite, and if he had seen them I am sure he would be one of the first to call for a fair granb from the Transvaal. Then thero is the dynamite monopoly, a monopoly con demaed by the Yolksr&ftd CommUaioo, upon

! which I wili no- lay stress, beo.ir-o it is one : whbh *fleo s the (;ftr>iuiii«<», nr.d ho i num bers are open to reply thai, ti.e otpiiatss b ' aw able to bear tin:, burden, though Hu>y liimti not forget that workmen, as will a* employers, have a most bt.rious interest) m the quality of the clymmi c supplied, as terrible accidents have showr. There are however, other monopolies which, by in creasing the cost cf living, affect the Ui' i .oilers io the Iransvaai, euch as the i monopolies of matches, papers, chocolate, Iwo 1, starch, mineral water*, Go.ar>, oil nod ■ o< her articles, which hon. numb.tb can find mentioned m the Biue Bock issuer) by the CMonial Secretary. There is another griev ance, m regard to the municipality nf Joh m na'-buig. that, then- are 23.000 Uitlauder blectoruto 1,000 Boe.e,an<! yet the Boers oect en «q u *l number of member, the chairman ot the Council has to be » Boer, appointed and paid by t he Governmvn', and t.^e decieion. of the Comic 1, when arrived at, are subject to confirmation by tho Executive Ihe municipality of Johannes burg has less authority than the old Sanitary Committee ihese> are the principal griev ances, and I think the-House will •ireewith me that they are worth putting on record m connection with this debate. There ia aleo the question of the franchise, to which the hon. gentleman referred, but I will not now go into the details, or the controversial points connected with it In 1874, before the first Convention, the franchise could be obtained after one year's residence without real estate. In 1882, after the fir»t Con vention, five years' residence and registra tion were required, Registration tince then has become more and more complicated, and at the beginning of the present year it took fourteen years to obtain the franchise, during twelve of which the candidate waa neither a British nor a Boer subject, and had feo take an oath which succeseive Colonial Secretaries have described as offensive and superfluous. Anyone who reads the new franchise law passed m the present summer will come to the conclusion arrived at by Sir Alfred Milner, that under the present law ib ■ remains within the power of the Transvaal Government to refuse the franchise to any one, owiog to the extremely complicated regulations and conditions which are attached to it. Ib should not he for gotten that m their demand for the fran chise the Uttlanders have been asking only for the re establishment of rights whioh now exist m the Orange Free State, and which existed m the Transvaal itself before and after the Convention of 1881. In fact, South Africa is really one country, m whioh two races live, m every district but one, on a footing of political and social equality. In thab district, tho Transvaal, one race is the subject of the open contempt and oppression of the other. It is idle to talk of peace and unity while these conditions prevail. Al though I condemn and deplore the Jameson raid as strongly as anyone, I should like to call the attention of hon. members] opposite to the fact that from the year 1892 onwards, a succession of appeals have been made, by the Uitlanders to the Transvaal Government for a redress of their grievances. In 1892 the first great public meeting was held, and a deputation conveyed to the President of the Rapublic the resolutions whiqh were pissed. The answer of the President was characteristic, for he said : " Cease holding meetings and be satisfied. Go back and tell your people I shall never give them any. thing. I shall never change my policy. Now let the storm burnt." In 1894 there was another patition to the Raad for the franchise signed by 13,000 people, and thab was rejected with ridicule. Id 1895 there was a petition for the franchise again signed by 38,500 pereons, and after a debate thab was also rejected, Mr Josen deolaring thab it ihe petitioners wanted their rights they would have to fight for them. As far as Johannesburg is concerned it is really doubt ful whether any considerable number of the people there were aware of the raid ; at any rate they were not recpoEsible for it j bus, both before and since that time, there have been many aobs of constitutional agita tion, and it ia a mistake to lepreeent that the Uitlandera have not taket the constitu tional atepa placed within their power* Of course when appeal after appeal to the j Transvaal Raad failed, the Ui.lande»s peti- I tioned the High Commissioner an J the Queen. There was a petition m regard to commao desi ing ia 1894. There were two petitions made ia the present yea- I—onel—one m regard to ibo murder of Edgar, which was rejacted on account of an informality, and the other was a petitioo, signed by 21.000 persona, appeal ing to Her Majesty for protection and re- Areaa of their grievances. 'Jhis movrm-jnt baa been attacked as factitious. On that poiat I should like to call the attention of hon. members opposite to a passage m Sir Alfred Miloer'a despatch. He says— 41 With regard to the attempt to represenb that movement aa artificial, tha work of scheming capitalists or professional agitators, I r* gard it as a wiiful perversion of the troth. The defenceless people who are clamouring for a redress of grievances are doing to ab - great personal risk. It is notorious that mauy capitalists regard politoal agitation with disfavour, because of its effect on mar kets. It is equally notorious that the lowest class of Uitlanders, and especially the illicib liquor dealers, have no sympathy whatever with the cause of reform. Moreover, there are iv all olasses a considerable number who only want to make money and clear out, and who, while possibly sympathising with re form, feel no interest m a matter whioh may only concern them temporarily. Bub a very large and constantly increasing proportion of the Uitlanders arc not' birds of passage*; they contemplate a long residence m the country, or to make it their permanent home. These people are the mainstay of the reform movement, as they an the prosperity of the country, and they would make excel* lent citizens if they had the chance." The High Commissioner goes on to say t " The ease for intervention is overwhelm ing. The only attempted answer is thab things will right thems«lues if left alone. Thab policy has been tried for years, and it has led to them going from bad to worse* It« is not true that this is owing to the raid* They were going from bad to worse before the raid. We were on the v«.rge of war before the raid, and the Transvaal was on the verge of revolution. The effect of the raid has been to give the policy of leaving things alone a new life, with the old conse quences." Hon. members opposite are asking by what right are we interfering, bub I would remind them thab the Colonial Sec retary ia 1896 gave a pledge to the Uitlan dere. He said, m a despatch toJLord Rog. mead : - "The people of Johannesburg laid down their arms m the belief thab reasonable con cessions would be arranged by your inter vention, and until these are granted or definitely promised to you by the President (he root cause of the trouble remains/ The hon. member opposite who moved the amendment now brought forward praotipalty represents the view taken m the ultimatum of the Transvaal Government, lor they say that the English Government has no power to intervene after the signing of the Conven tion of 1834. I would point out, however, 1 that so long ago as 1877 a very different view I was laid down by the then Colonial Secretary, and it has been repeated by Coknial Secretary after Colonial Secretary since that time. At that time the right hon. genblemati the present Chancellor of the Exchequer wrote as follows I— "The power and authority of England have long been paramount, and neither by the Sand River Convention of 1852, nor at any, other time, did Her Majesty's Govern ment surrender the right and duty of rkquiring thab the Transvaal should be governed with a view to the common safety of the various European communities." A similar view was taken by President Burgers, m a speech to the Transvaal Raad on March 3rd, 1877- He said: "It is asked what have thry (our English neigh ' bours) got to do with our position* I tell you, as much as we have to do with our Kaffir neighbours. As liotle as we can allow barbarities among the Kaffirs on our holders, as little can they allow that, m a state on their borders, anarchy and rebellion should prevail." 1 am not going tonight into the details of the questions connected with the suzerainty, although I think that by quotations from the Blue Books a very good case for the Govern ment could ba made out. I will, however, base my position upon the broad principles laid down nearly forty years ago by a great authority. I refer to the case of Don Pacifioo, and the declaration made by Lord Palmerston as to tha treatment' of |lritish sub j eats m foreign countries. Some hon. members opposite have used the argument that because people belonged to tha criminal class we should not extend to them tfct

THE a&H£ui.TON OtJARBIAfI j THURSDAY, JANWARY 18, 190G



Smoke New Venus



FOR THIS WEEK. QPtoOiAL Lines Prints at 3^d per yard Special Lines Prints at 4Jd per yard. S} ecial Lines Prints and Zyphers at 6-|d per yard. Special Line I ress Material, usual price 3s 9d; 5s lid Dress Length, Big Line Sample Corsets, prices from 4s 1(d to iOs 6d, to clear at 2s 1 1 d per pair. And many other tempting Lines m all departments. ASHBURTON DRAPERY COMPANY. New Zealand I BLOTHMC_FACTORY; S~ PECIAL Lines m 'i£NNIB fcOBIFiTS FANCY STRIPES from ;3s O<l, new Ftkt'.erns. White and Cream Matt Shirti»,s4s 6d and 5s 6d. White and Cream Cellular Shirts, ss. Tho Newest Styles m Fachion Shirts and White Sliirts, with fancy Cuffu and Fronts. Mali's Pan ma Straw Hats, Men'a Brazilian Straw ITatu, Men'a Club Straws from 2", Splendid Variety to select from. Men's Frame Hits, Men's Soft Felts. Meu's Tennis Hut.*, Men's White Felts. BOOTST BOOTS Newest Shap« Tan Boota 16s 6i. 18«, 23s 6d Biacb Glace Kid Boots, 163 6!; Teunia Shoes 15 6.-T. Men'B, Women's, and Children's Canvas Shoep, LARGE STOCK AT LOW PHICRS. (ALL A.TNJL> IN»PK<vr. SUITS TO MEASURE A SPECIALTY. FIT QUARAN TEED. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. F. H. BKGKIJNGSALE, Manager, FARMERS, DO NOT RUN THE RISK OF LOSING YOUR GRAIN BY NOK'-WESTERS In the attempt to harvest it with an old Binder— BUT COME AND BUY A NEW McCORMICJK, It will pay you m the long run if you take into consideration the cost o! repairs and the delay that is caused by an old machine. We have only a FEW McOOR MICKS LEFT, so would advise you to order early lo as to secure one of the MONARCHS of THE HARVEST FIELD. | MACHINE OIL, AND DONAGHY'S TWINE IN STOCK. MORROW, BASSBTT & Co , ASHBURTON. M. PRIEST, Manager T~~vvHsoNr~ (Established 1878), BURNETT STREET, oppoairo Mail Offie Employs upwards of 18 hands. DECORATOR & SIGN WRITER. I WISH to notify that I have secured the services of Mb Chas. Chapman, as Sign writer, who, m addition to his horn training; has had a large amount of expori ence m our oitias. LARGE STOCK OF ARTISTIC wall papers. I have josfc received—direct from the manufacturers — a few thousand feet of Picture Frame Mouldings. Persons desirous of having Pictures framed would do welt to call and see then)* Telephone 65 plotography! HAVING taken over the Premises known as Mrs Robottom's Studio, Moore Street, the undersigned will carry on the business of a Photographer, and hopes that by strict attention bo business to merit a share of public patronage. None bub the Best Work sent out. ENLARGEMENTS A SPECIALTY. Homesteads Visited Photos oi Groups or Live Stock taken bj the latest instantaneous prnoens Tbrms—M.oderatb Special Notice—For 14 Days Only, Por traits of Children under 5 years of ags Taken Free of Charge at the Studio. Note Address— j D. JONES, 112 210 OChe Photographer, Moore Sfeiet.



MISS M. RICHABDSON, rpEACHER OF PIANO. Apply Belt Road, Allenton. Ti rms on application ti'irsti term commences on Ist February. 1 88 1 MISS KITTY BELL, rpEACHER OP THE PIANOFORTE, Will commence professional duties on MONDAY, January 29. Addreea : C&ss Btreet>, ABhburton. 192 1900: PIANOFORTE, SINGING, and FRENCH, MRS F.~MAKEia mHEFriab Term will begin on THURB- X DAY, February 1. Wills Street, , X 27 Aahburtou, j



AFTERNOON TEA. mHE REFRESHMENT ROOMS for the reception oS Ladies will be complete on SATURDAY. Fruit Salad, Ice Cream, Summer Drinks, and M tha latest Fruits m season at the Misses V-dge- 9 • New Bhop, lately occupied by Coopbb Brcs, , Elwt Street, next Craighead & Barrymir. 1 99 | rpHOSE m want of the v-sry best value X for their money m B>okß, Stationery, Fancy Goods, or Toys, cannot do better than make tbeir purchases frorri A. H ft illiams, ■ Tanored S:reßf. Fresh Goods evrry week. New lines to h*Dd m Birthday Cards, Bibiee, Prayer »ad Hymn Books, General tita'ionery. etc,



MOVING SALE. OPENING ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 h J>»t. NEW BUILDING READY. STOCK TOJBE CLEARED. CASH WANTED. mat affl! ITEMS & [PARTICULARS PER LATER POSTER. MITCHELL & TURNER. i TANCRED STREET. j i SALE. SAL E. NORTHCOTE & HEFFORD'S SUMMER CLEARING SALE COMMfi NOES SATURDAY, JANUARY 20. EVERYTHING AT SALE PRICES. GOODS MUST GO TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW SHIPMENTS SHORTLY TO ARRIVE. -NOTICE.- All our Newly Imported GOODS and no old Rubbish AT STARTLING CASH PRICES.| NORTHCOTE & HEFFORI "THE CORNER. 1'