24 MAY 1913, Page 3

The Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society has issued for publication

a third memorandum, which has been presented to the Government, on Portuguese slavery. Last August the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs asked the Committee for evidence "in support Of its grave charges."

The new memorandum accordingly contains in response evidence on the financial system by which the slaves are robbed of thousands of pounds. In 1903 a law was passed for creating a repatriation fund by means of deductions from the slaves' wages. In December 1907 this fund was admitted to have reached £100,000—an accretion of £25,000annually. Thu fund was transferred to the San Thome bank, and in October 1908 Mr. William Cadbury was shown a receipt for the money. The receipt, however, was only for £62,000. In the process of transfer nearly £40,000 had somehow disappeared. The Portuguese Government denies the allegation that there has been peculation, but offers no evidence in support of this denial. Does the Portuguese Government assert that Mr. Cadbury saw no receipt, or that he has mis-stated the amount?