CONFEDERATION.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 358, 5 August 1875, Page 3

CONFEDERATION.

[From the European Mail.'] Lord Carnarvon has laid on the table of the House of Lords a very important despatch to Sir Henry Barkly on the affairs of (South Africa. Its direct object is to propose a conference of delegates from the colonies and States of South Africa ; but it concludes by suggesting for the consideration of this conference no less a scheme than that of a confederation of all the South African States. So large and complicated a problem is not, of course, to be hastily approached, and Lord Carnarvon in no way presses it upon the the colonies. But it is not surprising that he should have been forced by his official experience to take it into consideration, and to regard it as, at the least, an aim to be distinctly kept in view. He has had to deal with several colonies, in all of which questions of similar and of vital interest have arisen, and he has found no definite and consistent policy established for their common guidance. In respect alike to security from disorder and to material progress the absence of a common understanding has manifest disadvantages, but there have hitherto been great difficulties in making any effectual approach towards it. The Governments of South Africa have been in an unusual degree isolated from each other, and it is a characteiistic oi young communities to be far more keenly

alive to their individual than to their mutual interests. People, in fact, who are actively engaged in the arduous work of settling and developing new countries have no leisure to look beyond their immediate wants. They are for a long time physically isolated, and when at length they come into contiguity their first intercourse is not always friendly. Questions of boundary and ownership arise which in districts where land and territory are hardly won occasion peculiar jealousies. South Africa, the Times says, has certaiuly been no exception to this experience; is various little commonwealths have been divided by physical, social, and economical barriers of an unusually troublesome character. But the physical separation has of late rapidly diminished with the material development of the colonies, while at the same time similar problems claim attent on in all of them. Though Lord Carnarvon will deserve the credit of having boldly recognised this change of circumstances, it has, as he says, been observed for some time past by those who are best acquainted with the States of South Africa, and thero are some subjects, the joint consideration of which can no longer bo delayed. Of these, of course the first and most prominent is that which has been brought into notice by the recent occurrences in Natal. The condition and the treatment of the native populat'on is in all the States a question of grave difficulty and anxiety, and all have been compelled to grapple with it. But they have adopted widely different methods, and have sometimes viewed each other's policy with considerable jealousy. Now, Lord Carnarvon could not but see in the recent difficulties in Natal evidence that this lack of a united policy might induce grave inconveniences It has been made clear to us (the Times) that the more the colonies become settled, the more do the natives flock to their peaceable protection; and the numbers of the native population are out of all proportion to the comparative handful of white settlers. We had recently indications of that tendency to panic on both sides which has everywhere been found the danger of communities similarly composed. Now, whatever this danger may amount to, it is, as Lord Carnarvon observes, liable to be greatly aggravated by the prevalence in each colony of independent principles of policy. The natives are not only numerous and strong : they are also shrewd observers, and not likely to overlook the opportunity afforded them by any jealousy or disunion among the European communities. If they were sure of being similarly treated in every State, they feel that the conditions imposed on them were inevitable. But if there are distinct differences of treatment, they may doubt whether any arrangement is final, and may think they can combine more effectually than the colonists. Politically as well as physically, they operate, with respect to the colonies, "on interior lines," and common prudence would suggest that the colonists should make some preparations against such a danger. They ought at least to be sure of their uuited forces being combined in any emergency, and this is impracticable until they have a common understanding, even though it should not be so formal as a Confederation. For this purpose alone Lord Carnarvon deems it advisable that a conference should be held of the representatives of the various colonies and States. He has in view, however, other matters, which, though of smaller interest, are of importance and urgency, such as the sale of arms and ammunition, the arrest and surrender of criminals, and some minor territorial questions, particularly the position of Griqualand West and its relations to the * Cape Colony and to the Dutch States. The Conference will meet to deliberate and report, but not to adopt any active policy upon the subjects which may come before it. No close restriction of subjects is proposed; and it is as one of the additional subjects which might be introduced at the discretion of the members of the Conference that Lord Carnarvon suggests the possibility of a union of the various States of South Africa. He expresses, indeed, a decided opinion that, due caution being observed, such a project would be extremely advantageous, and he promises a most favorable consideration of it on the part of her Majesty's Government. It would, he says, in their opinion, tend to develope the prosperity of South Africa, to sweep away many subjects of prolonged and unfruitful discussion, and to knit together the scattered communities of European race into a powerful and harmonious union, valuable alike for themselves and for the whole Empire. He repeatedly disclaims, however, all idea of exercising any pressure upon the decision of the question ; and it is obvious that all we can say of it at this stage is that the preliminary condition of success is some real disposition towards such a union on the part of the various States themselves. Lord Carnarvon would hardly have made the suggestion unless he had reason to believe that some such disposition existed, and the rest will depend upon the judicious treatment of the problem by the local representatives. As members of the Conference Lord Carnarvon proposes, it would seem, to nominate one representative for each State ; and if any State is reluctant to join the Conference, it will proceed to deliberate without it, but it will he consulted at later stages. Some one, moreover, must represent this country; and it appears that this is the mission which Lord Carnarvon has intrusted to Mr Froude on his second visit to South Africa. For many reasons, the Times thinks, this appointment will be regarded with much satisfaction; but Mr Froude will have to display some qualities which are of a different kind from those on which his reputation is mainly founded. His recent effort to throw light upon the native problem in South Africa indicated, indeed, an invaluable power of appreciating new circumstances, and of discerning, from a wide point of view, the bearings of a perplexing medern problem. But the capacities which make a brilliant historian may require to be checked by a careful reserve. Lord Carnarvon, however, in making such a selection has proved that he will not be debarred from a vigorous effort to promote the great object he has in view by any formal impediments. It is obviously his main object to procure a thorough understanding both between the various colonies and this country and between the colonies themselves. Hitherto his policy has given promise of success, and it will have been seen by a receLt telegram that his desire for a temporary suspension of a part of the constitutional powers of the Natal Legislative Couucil is likely to be accepted. His present proposal is prompted by an equally gopd motive, and deserves no i less success.