NATION-BUILDING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 526, 5 June 1909, Page 5

NATION-BUILDING.

.SOUTH AFRICA. COLONIAL OFFICE AND THE UNION. •A SPEECH RESENTED, (nit TEiEGpArn—rnssa association—cornuonTj (Roc. June 4, 11.30 p.m.) ''; . * Cape Town, Juno 4. A statement made in the Hoiisc of Commons by Liout.-Col. Seely, Uudor-Socrotery for the Colonics, to the effect that amendments to tlio South African Uuioii Constitution might possibly bo mado in London,.is criticised by Mr. John X. Morrimon, Premier of ..Capo Colony.' ' ' Sir. Mcrriman described Licut.-Col. Seoly's effort as a typical official speech, which ho hnd loosed off without regarding colonial feeling. Lieut.-001. Seoly's spoech was tho more amazing because ho was■lhp spokesman of the.party wliich attacked Mr. Chamber-' lain when tho Commonwealth Bill was before tlio House 'of Commons ' for introducing amendments at variancO' with Australian viows. Mr. J. W. Saucr, Commissioner for Public Works in Capo Colony, declared: "As surely as the sun'shines, onco tho Union is accomplished, wo will-not tolciato intcrforI one© in our affairs." OOWNING STREET EXPLAINS. IT DIDN'T MEAN ANY SUCH THING. (Rec. Juno. 4, .11.30 p.m.) London, Juno 4. The Colonial Office ,has issued an oxplauation to tho effect that it is not intended to altor tho Union Constitution, except as to its technical phraseology. I PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. TRANSVAAL ' (Rec. Juno 4, 11.10 p.m.) t • Pretoria, Juno 4. ■ Goheral Botha, Prcmior, apeaking in tho Transvaal Assembly, declared that tho Union was nearly wrecked at tho lato Bloomfontein Conference. " Tho Transanal ,only' abandoned proportional representation in tho faco of tho gravost opposition. Other speakers emphasised their disappointment at tho withdrawal of iopresentation. CAPE;ASSEMBLY ADOPTS THE UNION. WO , NOTED DISSENTIENTS. (Rec. Juno '4, 11 p.m.) -_, Cape Town,' Jtmo 4: Tho Cape Colony Assembly adopted tho constitution of tho South Afrioan Union, Mr, \V. P. Sclirriner and Sir John Gordon Sprigg olono dissenting. l OBSTRUCTIVE NATAL. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ARE FOR . UNION. Durban, June 8. The Federation of Chambers' of Commerce at Durban,, by 60 votcs'to'4, urged that tho South African Constitution should bo accepted by Natal. >'' ■<•>',