NATIVE POLICY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1931, Page 7

NATIVE POLICY IN SOUTH AFRICA

(Otago “Times.”)

One of the most important problems for the consideration of the Administration in the different parts of onr Empire relates to the policy which should be adopted towards the native races. Where trouble has occurred it can bo traced back finally to the lack of a proper understanding of the native temperament. As understanding grows, it is possible to look forward to the creation of peaceful and mutually profitable relations with those races with which there had previously been continual friction. The problem in South Africa has always presented great difficulties, Hut. it is believed that the policy which is now being adopted iwil,l smooth away most of these difficulties. In the course of one of his arrestive speeches on the subject, General Smuts said “ What is wanted in Africa today is a wise, far-sighted native policy. If we can evolve and pursue a policy which will promote the cause of civilisation in Africa without injustice to the African, without injury to what is typical and specific in the African, we shall render a great service to the cause of humanity.” It can be seen that the crux of this statement consists in its reference to the need for the avoidance of injury ” to what is typical and specific in the African.” The new policy shows due regard for the observance of this need. A plea has been put forward for a more sympathetic outlook to the black. It has been stated that Africa is the cradle of the human race. However that may be, nothing is more certain than that the African native has had many (thousands of years in undisturl>ed surroundings to evolve the present type. Although he is black, yet he possesses peculiar qualities. Essentially a ichilcl type, he is the only really happy human being General Smuts has ever encountered. He is easily satisfied, good-natured, carefree, ' and this in spite of the witch doctor, cruel tribal discipline, and the slave-trader. The qualities which he exhibits are, however, hardly all that are required when he is brought into contact with the white man. No incentive to work or to improve themselves in any way has l>een provided for the natives. They probably think that the white man is foolish to work and worry as he does, and that he has found the first stage of happiness.

The task of maintaining two such totally distinct temperaments in harmony with each other is of tremendous perplexity, and calls for the greatest administrative ability.. The evils that followed previous policies were directly dtie to the plan of giving the native nominal equality with the white mail. The African was either turned into a. beast of the field, for lie was in no condition to compete with the European, or else hits so-called equality destroyed the (basis of the African system, which it is now hoped to restore. “The British Empire does not stand for assimilation of its peoples into a common type, but for the fullest, freest development of its peoples along their own specifio lines.” When the native institutions were destroyed, black and white were mixed up in hopeless confusion. The new plan involves segregation. In the country definite areas are reserved where the natives can pursue their agricultural proclivities, subject all the time to their stern, and even ruthless towns, certain quarters are set aside for them. Necessarily in matters concerning public health European authority must be predominant. Segregation is directed to preserve, as far as possible, the public health, racial purity and good order. In industry, however, this policy cannot he adopted . There is on the Statute Book an Act which empowers the Government to introduce a colour bar in industry. Fortunately, in the opinion of General Smuts, is has never been applied.

What i,s the logical conclusion of segregation of tbs races? Must they both be separately represented in the government of their country? High authority thinks so. It has to be remembered that for three-quarters of a century the natives have enjoyed certain privileges of 'equality with the whites, which they are unwilling now to forego, and the new scheme, while it seems to afford a sound solution of the problem from the European viewpoint, does not find favour with the natives. Most of the opposition to the reform is due to a few well-educated natives, who demand equal rights with the European. A further difficulty is that all over the Cape are scattered de-tribalised natives, who'maintain that they are Europeanised and are unwilling to go back to the tribal regime. It has been suggested that they .should he allowed to continue as they are, exercising the orivileges that were previously given them. General Smuts considers that it is these who constitute the real nroblem of South Africa. From what has been said it can be seen that a momentous colour problem exists and that a satisfactory solution will be extremely difficult. It would be a profitable exercise for all of us, bearing in the mind the psychology of the Maori and the Jtantu, to compare our native poliev in New Zealand with that of South Africa.