THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EX-year they would have produced CHEQUER: The total number of £2,479,000-viz., £2,078,000 on grain estates exceeding £1,000,000 on which and £401,000 on meal and flour-asEstate Duty was charged in 1895-6 was suming, of course, that they had no eight, and the net value upon which effect in diminishing the amount duty was charged was £8,728,866. The imported. duty received in respect of these estates was £701,446. There was also a con- | siderable amount of realty declared upon PRESIDENT KRUGER'S REPLY. which payment of duty was deferred. SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTThe records are not sufficiently advanced LETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall): I beg to to admit of an answer being given at ask the Secretary of State for the this date as to the total number of Colonies, whether he has received the estates (a) not exceeding £100, and (b) telegraphic abstract of President Kruexceeding £100 which were returned for ger's reply to his Dispatches? Death Duties during the same period. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower The amount of Settlement Estate Duty Hamlets, Poplar): I understand the paid in 1895-6 was £125,716. The Secretary of State has now received principal value of property situated out President Kruger's reply. I should of the United Kingdom on which duty like, therefore, to ask him whether he is was paid was £1,661,000. in a position to state what course he proposes to take in regard to it? MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN : Her Majesty's Government received on Saturday by telegraph the substance of President Kruger's reply to their invitation. It is rather lengthy, and its full effect cannot be fairly appreciated without reference to the Dispatch in extenso and to the correspondence which preceded it. The most important point is that the President says:

BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY. MR. HENRY LABOUCHERE (Northampton): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he can approximately state what is the amount of cash belonging to the Chartered Company of South Africa; and, whether, in view of expenses now being incurred by the Government in respect to the Matabele rising, he will consider the expediency of obtaining some security that this cash will remain available for their repayment?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN: I believe the Company have about half a million in cash, more or less. I do not propose to take the course suggested in the second branch of the Question. The Company are paying for the expenses of the war as they are incurred, and at present I have no reason to doubt their readiness to meet their liabilities.

REGISTRATION DUTIES ON GRAIN. MR. JEFFREYS: I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much the registration duty of ls. a quarter (or 3d. a hundredweight) upon imported corn and maize, which was repealed in 1869, would have produced in the last financial year?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: If the registration duties on corn, which were repealed in 1869, had been in force in the last financial

66

Referring to your request for a definite reply to the invitation, he feels confident you will recognise and appreciate the difficulty of his position, and it appears to him to be the wiser course not to press the question of his proceeding to England any further at present, in view of the approaching Session of Volksraad but to leave it an open matter, more especially of South African Republic in May. The desirability of his presence, at least for a portion of the Session, at Pretoria, when important measures will have to be considered by the Legislature, is apparent, and it is his confident hope that by patience and tact on both sides the peaceful and satisfactory solution of matters will be attained."

In reply to the supplementary Question of the hon. Gentleman opposite I have to say that under these circumstances Her Majesty's Government have for the present reluctantly withdrawn their invitation to the President to come to England-[some Opposition laughter]— and they have telegraphed to Sir H. Robinson their wish that as soon as Sir Graham Bower has returned, and if the then state of affairs in Matabeleland permits, he should pay a short visit to

this country to confer with Her presented to the House in pursuance of Majesty's Government and receive the their Address, dated 4th June 1891 ? instructions which will be necessary for MR. CURZON: Since the publicahis guidance in the further negotiations tion of the Report referred to by the which may be decided upon. The whole hon. Member, Her Majesty's Governof the correspondence is being prepared ment have been informed of the followfor publication, and I expect to be able ing important changes made by Foreign to lay it upon the Table in the course of Governments with regard to the age of the present week, and I hope it will be employment of children. In France the in the hands of Members in ample time age of admission to factories has, by the for a discussion on Friday week, if it law of November 1892, been fixed at should be desired to Debate the subject. 13; except for those holding the certifiSIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT cate for elementary education, who may asked, whether the reply of President be employed as young as 12. Kruger contained any suggestion to the Norway the law of June 1892, which Uitlanders' grievances?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN: I really think that the hon. Member had better wait until the whole of the correspondence is laid upon the Table. ["Hear, hear!"]

In

regulates the age of admission to factories, fixes the age for full employment at 14, but permits the employment of children over 12 under certain conditions for not more than six hours a day. The age of employment was fixed at 14 in Illinois by a law of June 1893, and in Connecticut by a law of May 1895. TRADE MARKS IN EGYPT. In Portugal a Royal Decree of March MR. C. B. STUART - WORTLEY 16th, 1893, defined the conditions under (Sheffield, Hallam): I beg to ask the which children between 10 and 12, and Under Secretary of State for Foreign over 12, might work in certain indusAffairs, whether the Egyptian Govern- tries. may add that changes of the ment requires the consent of any and nature of those I have mentioned are, as what Foreign Powers before it can legis- they are brought to the knowledge of late against the forgery of trade marks Her Majesty's Government, published or the use of false trade descriptions on Egyptian territory by (1) Egyptian Gazette. subjects; (2) subjects of other Powers?

MR. CURZON: The Egyptian Government does not require the consent of any Foreign Power for legislation of the character indicated in the case of its

own subjects on Egyptian soil. But in the case of foreigners it cannot act except through the Mixed Courts, which have at present no penal jurisdiction in such matters, and can only obtain it by the joint action of the Powers. Negotiations with this object in view have for some time been proceeding.

EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN. MR. ELLIOTT LEES (Birkenhead) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any steps have been taken by Foreign Governments to carry out the recommendations of the Berlin Labour Conference with reference to the age at which children may be employed in labour, since the Report (Commercial, No. 15, 1891) Mr. J. Chamberlain.

I

from time to time in the Labour

RAILWAY COMMISSION (TRADERS' COMPLAINTS). MR. F. A. CHANNING (Northampton, E.) I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether, in view of the notice of appeal given by the London and North-Western Railway Company against the decision of the Railway Commissioners in the recent Northampton case, he is prepared to further extend the time for filing applications to the Railway Commissioners in complaints. by traders now pending before the Board of Trade?

MR. RITCHIE: Yes, Sir; the time will be extended for three months.

PLATELAYERS KILLED (SAPPERTON TUNNEL). MR. CHANNING: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether the Board of Trade was represented at the inquest held at Strood, on

FEE GRANT (IRELAND).

16th April, on the four platelayers killed in Sapperton Tunnel on 14th MR. FLYNN: I beg to ask the April, or have ordered an inspector Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant or sub-inspector to inquire into the cir- of Ireland whether the Treasury have cumstances; and, if not, whether he arranged to pay over to the Commiswill cause such inquiry to be held with a sioners of National Education in Ireview to authoritative recommendations land the arrears due to Ireland in by the Board of Trade as to the precau- respect to the unpaid fee grant ? tions necessary for the safety of platelayers in dangerous positions?

MR. RITCHIE: No, Sir; the Board of Trade were not represented, but one of the sub-inspectors of railways has been directed to investigate the circumstances attending the accident.

PAUPER LUNATICS (IRELAND).

MR. C. J. ENGLEDOW (Kildare, N.) I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether he has yet ascertained from the Local Government Board auditor whe

ther the collective number of days in respect of which no Government grant is payable for pauper patients confined in Irish district lunatic asylums is considerable; and (2), whether it is his in

tention to amend the instructions issued to Government auditors on this subject?

*MR. HANBURY: As I stated in reply to a Question put by the hon. Member for South Dublin on March 27th: "The Government recognise that an equitable claim exists for the payment to Ireland of a proportionate share of the Supplementary English Fee Grant for 1895-96, although no such share was allowed for in the original Estimates for 1895-96." This claim will be dealt

with by a Supplementary Vote this year. As regards any claim for years previous refer to the Debate on the subject on to 1895-96, if the hon. Member will

March 30th, he will see that I have

already explained to the House that the settled by the late Parliament in strict grants for those years were definitely accordance with the Act, and it is impossible for the Government to re-open

the account.

DECORATIONS FOR MILITARY MISSION
TO VIENNA.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR: Reports have not yet been received from all the auditors dealing with the matter reMR. T. W. LEGH (Lancashire, Newferred to in the Question, but the Board hope to receive them at an early date. of State for Foreign Affairs if the memton) I beg to ask the Under Secretary Until all these reports have been re-bers of the recent Military Mission to ceived, I cannot, as already stated, de

cide whether further action is called for

in the direction suggested in the second paragraph.

CARLOW GRAND JURY.

:

Vienna have received permission to accept and wear an Austrian decoration; and if such permission is in accordance with the regulations regarding the acceptance of Foreign Orders by British subjects?

MR. CURZON: The officers comMR. ENGLEDOW: I beg to ask the posing the deputation to Vienna of the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant King's Dragoon Guards have received of Ireland whether he has yet received the Queen's permission to accept and the information asked for in the return wear an Austrian decoration. Such which he promised to give with reference permission is an exception from the to the qualification of the members of Regulations, which has been sanctioned the Carlow Grand Jury, and those gen- by Her Majesty under the special cirtlemen whose names appear on the cumstances of the present case, as an act Grand Panel for that county. of courtesy to the Emperor of Austria.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I have not yet received the information referred to. No unnecessary delay will be allowed to take place in completing the Return, which will be laid on the Table as soon as received by me.

ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE ENGINEERS.

MR. FORTESCUE FLANNERY (Yorkshire, Shipley): I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty-(1), if he

is aware that an official representation | foundation for the persistent statements has been made to the Admiral Superin- in the public Press that a Treaty has tendent of Naval Reserves that, in the been made between China and Russia opinion of the Council of the Institution giving to the latter country not only of Marine Engineers, Engineers of the large portions of territory, but also great Royal Naval Reserve should have op- commercial and other advantages? portunities of gaining experience at sea MR. CURZON: Her Majesty's Govin Her Majesty's ships; (2), whether ernment have been informed by the he is aware that the Institution of Russian Ambassador that the statements Marine Engineers has a membership of which have appeared in the public Press 1,000 skilled engineers representative of as to a Secret Treaty between China and the engineers of the Mercantile Marine; Russia, by which the former is to cede a and (3), whether he will make arrange- large portion of her territory to Russia, ments to enable engineers of the Royal is devoid of the slightest foundation. Naval Reserve to thus make themselves ["Hear, hear!"'] efficient in their duties as naval engineers ?

:

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMI- GREAT BRITAIN AND VENEZUELA. RALTY My reply to the first para- SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Mongraph is "Yes." The second para- mouthshire, W.): I desire to ask the graph is not ad rem. The question as right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of to enabling engineer officers of the Royal the Treasury a Question of which I have Naval Reserve to serve on board men- given him private notice-namely, wheof-war must be decided on service con- ther arrangements have been made, or siderations. In reply to third paragraph will without delay be concluded, with the Admiralty have not failed to study the Government of the United States for the subject with great care. It is sur- the settlement by arbitration of the rounded with difficulties, but I shall be matters in dispute respecting the bounglad if I see my way to an arrangement dary of Venezuela? which would bring the Reserve officers into closer touch with the Navy.

AGRICULTURAL LAND RATING (SCOTLAND) BILL.

MR. THOMAS SHAW (Hawick Burghs): I beg to ask the Lord Advocate what is the estimate of the annual valuation and the acreage of the agricultural land in Scotland to which the relief proposed to be given by the forthcoming Agricultural Land Rating (Scotland) Bill will extend?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.) In reply to the Question of the right hon. Gentleman I have in the first place to thank him for having given me timely notice of his Question. The arrangements for the conditions of arbitration with respect to Venezuela, and also with respect to other questions, are matters that both Governments have had in view in the conduct of the recent negotiations. The last communication from the Government of the United States, which arrived on Friday last, *THE LORD ADVOCATE: This and which is now under the consideraQuestion seems to be based on the as- tion of Her Majesty's Government, deals sumption that the proposals for the two both with the general question of arbicountries will be identical; an assump-tration, and also with the special question for which no warrant has been tion connected with Venezuela. I am given. The information on which the proposals of the Government as to Scotland in regard to this subject are based will be given when the Bill is introduced.

RUSSIA AND CHINA.

afraid that I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman further information, and the right hon. Gentleman, I am sure, will agree with me that to discuss negotiations that are being still conducted would not be expedient. ["Hear, hear!'']

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

SIR ALBERT ROLLIT: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a Question of which I have given MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, him private notice-Whether there is any Thanet) asked the First Lord of the Mr. Fortescue Flannery.

Treasury what business would be taken and on another day a large portion of

on Thursday next.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY: I have already said that we hope to proceed with the Budget Resolutions on Thursday.

the time was taken up by the statement of my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty in introducing the Navy Estimates and the Naval Works Bill. So it cannot be said that for doing *SIR C. DILKE wished to ask what the whole of the legislative work incourse the Government proposed to take trusted to us we have had more than with reference to two Labour Bills-the nine days. In those days we have Truck Bill and the Coal Mines Regula- passed the Naval Works Bill and read tions Bill. With regard to the Truck the Light Railways Bill a second time Bill, he understood that the Second and sent it to the Grand Committee, Reading might be assented to without discussion, in order that it might be sent to a Grand Committee.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY: If that course can be adopted with the Truck Bill, it will be in the interest of all parties; I trust it will be so. The course which the Government may take with reference to the Mines Bill must depend upon the general course of business. I am not in a position to give any information to-day about it.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

(GOVERNMENT BUSINESS.) THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY rose to move :

"That for the remainder of the Session the

House do meet on Tuesdays at 3 o'clock; that Government Business have priority over all other Bills and Notices of Motion on any day for which it is appointed; and that the provisions of Standing Order No. 56 be extended to every day of the week."

which, I believe, has pretty nearly got through it. The Military Manœuvres Bill has nearly reached the end of the Committee stage; while the Diseases of Animals Bill has been read a second time. The three remaining more important Government Bills have been read a first time. So much for the past. As regards the future, we are in possession of two-and-a-half days in the week. Friday, of course, as the House knows, is permanently devoted to financial work. At present Wednesdays and Tuesday nights belong to private Members. This being the time at present at our disposal, what is the task we have got to accomplish? I will not refer to the smaller Government Measures which have been mentioned during Question time, and which we may reasonably hope will pass this House without any long discussion, nor is it necessary to allude in detail to such administrative Bills as the Military Lands Bill or the Uganda Railway Bill, which will have to be passed in the course of the Session. Everybody knows He said: The Motion I move will, if that the main outline of the Session will carried, practically give the control of have to be determined, not by what we the time of the House for the remainder do with regard to those Measures but by of the Session to the Government. It what we do with regard to the is, therefore, desirable, and the House three important Bills which at prewill probably expect, that I should give sent are read only a first time-the some survey of what we have already Rating Bill, the Education Bill, and done, and some forecast of what we hope the Irish Land Bill. The Rating to accomplish. Looking back to the Bill, I am given to understand, is a portion of the Session that is already passed, I find that 16 days have been given to financial business, including the Budget, and private Members have had 15 days, two of them, however, being reduced to half days. For Government legislation we have had ten days, two of which were but half days. Of these two half days, one was nominally given to Government business, but it was almost entirely occupied by a discussion on a private Bill commencing at 2 o'clock,

VOL. XXXIX. [fourth series.]

Bill likely to be regarded as controversial [Opposition cheers] - but it cannot be regarded as one embodying provisions of great detail, or, indeed, as involving more than the affirmation by the House of a single principle, which may be good or may be bad, but which has been already discussed for one night on the introduction of the Bill, and which, I imagine, will alone concern us when we are discussing the Second Reading and which, again, I imagine will occupy 4 I