THE NATIVE PROBLEM IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 47, 20 November 1918, Page 7

THE NATIVE PROBLEM IN SOUTH AFRICA

A representative of the "Westminster 1 Gazette" recently interviewed Air. T. W. ] Mackenzie, editor if y the "triond,' , Bloemfoiitoin, whose previous, visit ■■to, England wa? made sixteen years ago. ! Air. Mackenzie is a Scotsman from Inverness[, and a man,of clear and decided views. Towards the close of the .interview! ho was asked a'qV-stion with regard to the attitude of the natives towards Great Britain in the (war, and he 'made this deeply interesting answer:"Europe he said) cannot pay too high a tribute to the natives of South Africa generally for'l he magnificent and consistent loynltv Ihev have shown throughout ;\ most difficult time; a time, mado .Ml'the more trying because both Gorman and'.extreme political influences were brought to bear upon them, in the hope of seducing them from their loyalty to, Great Britain. ]n the last, rcrort the people- of South Africa n.ust solve this problem of the native in their own way. Personally, I have not. the slightest doubt that they will solve it along judi-. eial and judicious lines." ' ' ' \ The question' of' "self-determination"—' the phrase so much on the lips,of German statesmen—was mentioned. "If it ever comes to a question of self-deter-' mination," said Air. Mackenzie, "I donV think it would be a reasonable, proposition to ask the Union.as a whole' to de-; .cide it. We should have to go back.to the pro-Union'status, and let each individual'colony decide for itself. But, of course, all "of ; us, who can think 'Jffcarl.v- at. all, agree that South -Africa his already had its -own self-determina-tion, by deciding voluntarily' and freely upon iinion : as an integral part of tho 'British /Commonwealth. There can,ho ; no .going back upon that position with-, out bloodshed."'