On Monday Mr. Winston Churchill moved the second reading of
the Transvaal Loan (Guarantee) Bill in a very long, animated, and provocative speech. He denied that there had been any bribe. The Home Government had simply enabled the Transvaal Government to raise the loan without going to the " defenders of the gilt-edged Union Jack " and pledging themselves to retain Chinese labour. Mr. Lyttelton moved the rejection of the Bill. If there had been no bargain, at any rate the wishes of the Government and of General Botha had been mutually gratified. In conclusion, Mr. Lyttelton severely condemned the Government for failing to avail themselves of the opportunity to negotiate for better treatment of the British Indians and the Civil servants. Mr. Asquith repudiated the charge of a bargain. As to the insinuation that this was a case of unfair Colonial preference, he pointed out that no word of protest had been uttered by any of the other self-governing Colonies. The rejection of the Bill was defeated by 199 votes to 62, and the Bill was read a second time without a division.
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