There is little of importance to record as to the
proceedings in Parliament this week, for the debate on the Spion Kop despatches will not be reported in time for comment from us. Mr. Brodrick explained, however, in Committee on Monday the reasons which necessitated a further vote of 21,930,000 to complete the Uganda railway. The original estimate of £3,000,000 had proved insufficient owing to the necessary inadequacy of the survey, the cost of substantial bridges and ballasting (which at first had been thought unnecessary), and above all, the cost of labour. As no forced labour has been employed, and only two thousand tribal volunteers had been forthcoming. the remaining fourteen thousand had all to be imported from India. The estimates of mortality amongst the labourers, he added, that had appeared in the Press were greatly exaggerated. Summing up what had been done, Mr. Brodrick stated that 362 miles were already open for traffic ; the requisite stores were being carried at one. tenth of the cost of ordinary porterage; and the existing traffic amounted to double that suggested to the Committee five years ago. They expected to spend in all £5,000,000, which worked out at £8,500 per mile, by no means an excep. tionally heavy charge,—the Cork and Macroom Railway coat £8,40e per mile. Ultimately the Resolution was agreed to by 185 votes to 40.
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