SOUTH AFRICAN FEDERATION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 453, 11 March 1909, Page 4

SOUTH AFRICAN FEDERATION.

• f - There seems to be more than a possibility that the remainder of this year will bo full of incident in South Africa. When discussing the cable version of the draft South African Constitution recently, we expressed an opinion that it was unlikely to be acceptable to Natal. Confirmation of this has since come to hand, for at a large meeting in Durban a resolution was passed in favour of delay and a referendum. That it was in the best sense a representative meeting is evident from the fact that both the Premier and a leading ex-Minister were present. Replicas of this resolution are probably now being passed in every part of Natal. The latest cables go to show that there is a growing feeling in the Transvaal in favour of a referendum, which is not strange, although, of course, it will be confined to the British residents. In reply evidently to a manifestation of public feeling on tho subject, General Botha has reaffirmed his dislike to tho idea. He claims for it that it "will be wrong and dangerous"—curiously colourless words— to hold a referendum. Tho full arguments .by which he supports this view should mako interesting reading when they come to hand. • From the tone and matter of tho General's next remark, it would seem that he has undergone a very considerable heckling on this matter of a referendum. A brief retrospect of tho Federation position may be of interest. The movement practically dates from the publication of the masterly Memorandum of Lord Seluorne about two years ago. The close grip of the subject shown attracted general attention. But a subject so large docs not invito hasty decisions, or even opinions, and it was nearly a year before general approval of the ideas of the Memorandum was clearly marked. All parties, whilst desirous of obtaining Federation quickly, were alive to the danger of forcing it on with undue haste. It is matter for regret that this attitude has not been continued. The most powerful party in the country has, during the last six months, quickened the pace of the movement very materially and unwisely. In the result a conference has been held, a draft Constitution has been hurriedly drawn, and now a wheel of the coach, Natal, threatens to come off altogether. A real unification cannot fail to bo an incalculable boon to the country. A pseudo unification that is only a one-sided Federation in disguiso is almost certain to be a doubtful gain. But while it is possible to dissent from the conclusions arrived at by the Conference, it is also possible to regard its having met at all with almost unqualified approval. Nothing now seems clearer than that the association together of Britisher and Boer has proved a great success. Suspicions nurtured on both sides, and particularly between the Natalians and the Dutch, who hitherto

have been but little thrown together, have •vanished under the kindly touch of close personal intercourse, and points of view formerly misunderstood have at least become clearer. The meetings of the Conference are justifiable and welcome, if only for these beneficial results. In 1885 Britain could have bought Delagoa Bay for two millions, and the English Liberals, through Lord Granville, refused even to entertain the idea. • Since its retention has become a national and dynastic question in Portugal. When Lord Milner reopened the matter a few years ago, these facts speedily became ovident, and King Carlos was forced, reluctantly, to decline to negotiate. His son's crown being even less secure than his proved to be, it was evident that the recent rumour of a cession would be quickly followed, as it has been, by a contradiction. The value of Delagoa Bay to the British Empire, both as a naval harbour and as the natural port of the Transvaal, cannot be computed, and it is increasing.