10 AUGUST 1901, Page 3

Mr. Chamberlain ended a very able and statesmanlike speech by

a declaration which is worth quoting in full :— " What I want to be clearly understood in this country and in South Africa is that, while on the one hand we are deter. mined to secure just and humane administration for the natives in the Transvaal, on the other hand we have no idea whatever that it is our duty to interfere with the legitimate right to engage themselves or with the legitimate right of the owners of industrial undertakings in the Transvaal to engage them, and, if they so engage them, to see that the contract is carried out. I believe that is all that can fairly be asked from the British Government, and I think that in a reason- able time we shall be able to satisfy the House that we have done all that within us lies to secure that result."