SOUTH AFRICA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1824, 3 August 1906, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICA.

ANGRY PROCEEDINGS,

The Daily Chronicle admits the prospect of a very narrow majority, It admits that drawbacks are involved in granting manhood suff-age-The Daily News deolares the constitution is a compromise, its best feature being the automatio expiry of the Ohinese ordinance. The Morning Post says a number of Unionists welcome tbe general outline of the Government’s Bchetne, but if the Boer’s action proves to be incompatible with loyalty to the Crown, both British political parties would unite against them. Lord Milner deolarcd that the Govern* ment have precipitately risked placing the whole executive power in the hands of men totally unfit to hold it. Sir W.si Ridgway is ornfideut that all parties in the Transvaal will loyally suppo t the constitution.

Mr W. T. Stead says it is evident the Boerß, with British sympathisers, will command a permanent majority in Ihe Tranßvaßl.

Many Unionist members of Chambers of Comme-os urge the leaders to rouse the nation, believing the Government policy will drive tho Boers to eeek tbe “ \ s3r ’ 8 aesiitanco for a South Afrioan Federation. Ai the result of Mr Churobill’s speeob, tbe London S'oek Exobaagi opened ner* vously, and afterwards steadied. Bouth Af £J° an stoek is flat and a sh>do easier. The Djilj Ma»l saya the Govarnment’a pompiete surrender of all the results nf the war jostled Mr Smut’s prediction that IW"«3.7”“ e “ ,t< "" s|!

HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED

I’KiJSS ASSOCIATION—OOI’YIitCrU'f

Received 9,27 p.m-, August 2

m, r. ... Johannesburg, August 2. A be Constitution proposals were receivod at J ohannesburg with a feeling of relief at the termination of the suspense. Opinion in Cape Colony fears that Chamber 9 ' ame reepectiDg the second

Opinion in Bloemfontein is divided regarding the postponement of Oraocia’s Constitution. “ The newspaper Po3t says the Imperial decision is a victory for common seDße, and hoped that Government will leave well alone.

Ottawa, August 2. Iho To-onto Globe says thore is no rea* son 1 to fear that ibe Boers, after' their spirited strugglo and' acceptance ofhcW. able peac, will fail' to appreciate "the magnanimity in now treating thim as trustworthy friends. " ‘

“ AUDACIOUS AND RECKLESS EXPERIMENT.” r»u-«iai PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT London. August I. In the House of Lords, Lords Milner and Courtney agreed that the proposals for single member constituencies were likely to increase the cleavage between Britain and Boer. Both preferred proportional representation. In the House of Commons Mr Lyttelton declared that the presence of German troops and many Boer volunteers in German West Africa ought to have been considered before the Transvaal was given self government. The reducing of our power so soon after the war was dangerous. In the event of disturbance in Europe the propinquity of those troops would possibly be a serious factor. He said the Government was anxious to transfer to the Transvaal its responsibilities in regard to the Chinese. Mr Balfour denounced the proposal for, manhood suffrage as an obstacle to any. colored suffrage, also an obstacle to fede-, ration, but above all, the granting of self-’ government without the usual. transitional period was most dangerous. He added: “I am astonished at so unprecedented, audacious, and reckless an experiment. Our memories of the Dutch are memories of war, and their memories are of independence which preceded the war.) They arc human. How can we ask them to change their sentiment'? Can the political institution about to be given be made a substitute for the military organisation which brought them honorably into the held in 1896 iu the Jameson Raid'? There is nothing to prevent the country quietly preparing for a new, war What auimates them cannot be a deliberate preference for a new over the old state of things. I believe it will come in time, but you are asking the Dutch to do what you would not do if in their place.” The hour of closure approaching, Sir H»Campbell Banuerman rose angrily and said he had never listened to a more unworthy, mischievous, or provocative speech. He was greeted with loud Opposition protests and cries of “ Shame,” “ Withdraw,” and Ministerial counter cheers ” The vote was carried by 316 to 83. The eommeota of ihe newspapers are guarded, owing to the momentous issues of the Government’s policy. The Times bespeaks courage and determination of the British in the Transvaal to do their best under the new conditions. The tone of Liberal organs is half apologetie.