AFRICAN POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1925, Page 3

AFRICAN POLITICS

THE NATIVE PROBLEM

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received tbis day at 8.30 a.m.) CAPETOWN, Nov. 15. General Hcrtzog, in a speech at Smith,field, outlined the Governor's native policy. He declared both whites and natives insisted on a change. It was clear other provinces could not permit the native franchise to lie extended to them on the Cape basis. For a native to vote with a white man for members of Parliament, .would mean ruin to European civilisation. Within fifty years, according to expert judgment, the enfranchised native votes in the Cape would outnumber the whites. Already feeling was growing in influential European circles in favour of extending the franchise to northern natives.

General Hertzcg then outlined proposals, which, lie said, had the full support of his colleagues. These wore that the natives must lie trained to self-determination. This would ho done by the establishment of native councils. It was further proposed to take away the Cape native franchise, and in the place whereof, the right would lie given the natives of South African Union to elect seven Europeans to represent them in the Assembly. two each for the Capo. Natal and Transvaal, and one for the Free State. These would he additional to the quota which the constitution already provided.

General Hcrtzog suggested an annual session of a. native council of fifty, whereof a small section would he selected by the Government and danger by the natives would lie averted. Its duties would lie of an advisory character, and it would afford scope for the activities of the intellectual element among the natives.

General Hertzog foresaw opposition to tile proposals, lint urged the white population not to shrink from dealing with a great question. They flare not remain stationary any longer. He acknowledged there could lie no solution on party lines. CAPETOWN, Nov. 16. The newspapers commenting on Mr Hertzog’s native policy, says it is very questionable if Cape natives will he prepared to surrender the existing full franchise for the right to elect only two members to represent them in Parliament. Such a change involves an amendment to the constitution requiring a two-thirds majority in Parliament, and econsequently acceptance by the opprsition party, hut the main feature of the policy already lias been condemned by Transvaal Nationalist, and Jjnbonr parties. Poos, leader of the former recently declared lie would never consent in any circumstances to the extension of the existing rights to the coloured population. The situation promises interesting developments.