THE NEW NATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 963, 2 November 1910, Page 7

THE NEW NATION.

CAPE TOWN FESTIVITIES. DUKE OF CONNAUGHT REPLIES TO WELCOME. AN ENTHUSIASTIC POPULACE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Cape Town, October 31. Tho Mayor, in his speech of welcome to the Royal party 011 their arrival at the City Hall, said tho Duko of Connaught's advent proclaimed "tho birth of a new era foretold by our greatest statesman." It had beon striven for by the. truest patriots, and, possibly by splendid sacrifices, the Onion would enable South Africa to take her place amongst the first of the world's centres of industry.

At the conclusion of the . speech numerous pddrosses were presented to the Duke.

Speech by the Duke, : His Royal Highness, in rising to respond, received an immense ovation. Ha thanked those present on behalf of King George for their sentiments of loyalty and devotion, and assured the many thousands of the King's subjects —European, Asiatio, and African —of his Majesty's interest in their welfare. The sad event which had prevented the opening of the Union Parliament uumg honoured by tho presence of the Heir Apparent, was fresh in their minds. It would Have been a fitting culmination to the efforts of the statesmen and people of South Africsi in the cause of unity and conciliation had the last stone of the edifice been laid by the son of the monarch whose, name would be associated for all t;nio with a love of peace and hate of discord. (Loud cheers.) He was deeply sensible of the honour conferred on him in choosing him to take the place which the Royal father had intended the son to fill. After two and a half centuries,.with more than their share of war and strife, the labours of the convention, and the spirit in which those labours had been undertaken and carried through and consummated, gave a hopeful .augury for the centuries to come. ■ The Duke referred to tho sacrifices made by Cape Town and Capo Colony for the sake of the union, adding that there was no truer indication of the soundness of the people's heart—even of tfieir fitness and ability, to take and maintain theii' place among the nations—than tho willingness of all sections vof the community, to sacrifico their own material interests to the common ideal, whioh could only exert full influence upon the basis of material prosperity. Ho contemplated Cape Town joining in the general advance of South African commerce and industry, holding even a higher place than it occupied to-day—and not Cape Town only, but all tho many ancient, honourable communities represented thoro, of different races and religions, united by a common purpose, and owing allegiance to a singlo throne. On resuming his seat, his Royal Highness received another ovation. - Public Enthusiasm, After leaving tho City Hall, the Duke of Connaught drove through cheering crowds in the streets, and then to tha Government Avenue, where, amid the luxuriant oaks, thousands of children were drawn up. They sang the National Anthom, "God of Bethel," and other hymns. The Royal party then went on to Government House Tho whole reception was extraordinarily enthusiastic. The fog cleared as tho Royal personages landed, and' the weather is . now radiantly beautiful. Parliament Meets. The Govornor-General proceeded to tho Senate Houso, whore, in the presence of members of both Houses of Parliament, tho Royal Commission appointing tho Duke of Connaught to open the first Parliament iwas read in English and Dutch. Lord Gladstone then announced that the Duke of Connaught would oil Friday deliver a message from the King to Parliament.

Membors were then .sworn in, and Parliament adjourned till to-morrow.

Magnificent Spectacles. For the pageant in tha afternoon there was again glorious weather and a crowded attendance. Saturday's magnificent success was repeated. To-day's episodes depicted various noteworthy stirring incidents from 1813 to 1854, including iho realistio defence of a laager against the Kaffir attack. Finally, there was a roOßt effective allogorical presentation, indicative of the evolution of South Africa, all the performers participating in, the oulnuflating scene, hi which groupß representing the four provinces of the union met. The entire body of performers then .sang the National Antfiem and the To Deuni. In tho evening the entire centre of Cape Town was magnificently illuminated. All the principal buildings were outlined with strings of van-coloured lights, entwined in garlands spanning the main thoroughfares. The Oak. Avenue Lad a fair.y-like effect against tho majestic rock background of Table Mountain. Denso crowds paraded to and fro, enjoying a sight, the magnifiefcneo of which was unparalleled in Africa. A QUIET DAY. ROYAL PARTY IN THE COUNTRY. CONSTANTIA VISITED.(Rcc. November 2, 1 : a.m.) Capo Town, November 1. Tho Duke of Comiaught .and party have been having a comparatively quiet day. They motorod out to tho Government wine farm in the beautiful Constantsa Valley, under, the lee of the Table Mountain; and through, the late' Mr. Cecil Rhodes's estate fo Groote Sohuur. Thenco tho party proceeded through the historic Oak Aveoiue, planted in the early period of Dutch settlement, and were received at Constantia by the Administrator and his wife. Seven hundred guests were prosent. LANDMARKS IN THE HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA. The union of the white communities of South Africa had been in men's minds for half a century hefore tho final move was taken in 1007. The outstanding dates in tho history of the movOmont towards South African nnity aro:— 1858.—Resolution of tho Volksraad of tho Orange Free State in favour of "union ar alliance with Cape Colony either on a plan of federation or otherwise." This golden opportunity was lost. 1877.—Lord Carnarvon's Federation Act passed by the Imperial - Parliament, but proved .an utter failure, l'or the reason expressed by Mr. Parneli, who With Mr. Courtney and Sir. C. Dilke had most actively opposed the. Bill in'tho Gnmmniis. tlrnt "my .coufcdem-

tion of this kind should be voluntary and not forced." This lesson was borne in mind by Imperial statesmen later. 1898.—Customs union between the Free State. 1902.—Proposal to suspend the Cape Constitution and to force union on South Africa over tho heads of the peoplo rejected by Mr. Chamberlain. 1905.—Lord Selborne appointed High Commissioner. 1907.—February : Ex-President Steyn pro- ' plicsies Union within live years. i March: Afrikander Bond express desire for a Commission on the subject. April: Cape Ministry bring question to a head by inviting Lord Selborne to ' give expression to his views; invitation endorsed by tho other Governments. July: Lord Selborne's famous Memorandum. 1908. —M-ay: Conference of leading representatives of the colonies at Pretoria to arrange for a National Convocation; no Imperial representative present. Octobar 12: First meeting at Durban of - the National Convention which drevn up the draft Act; no Imperial representative. 1909.—September 20: Aot of Union passed by the Imperial Parliament. 1910.—May 31: The Union proclaimed.