South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 24 January 1903, Page 2

South Africa.

LOANS FOR THE TRANSVAAL. The guests at a banquet to Mr Chamberlain at Johannesburg included Lord Milner and General Botha. The Mayor presided. Mr Chamberlain received the greatest ovation given to anyone in the history of Johannesburg. His speech occupied an hour and a half in delivery. Mr Chamberlain announced that, with a view of ensuring a practical and immediate result, and fixing a sum instead of earmarking and finite surpluses, he had secured authorisation to accept a scheme based for the first part wholly in favour of the Transvaal. The Imperial Government, he said, would guarantee an investment loan of thirty-five 'millions on the security of the assets of the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony. The loan would be issued the moment it was sanctioned, to pay existing debts and to buy and construct railways and promote land settlement. A war debt loan of thirty millions would be placed at the earliest opportunity after the other loan on, the security of the Transvaal. Financiers, Mr Chamberlain stated, had subscribed ton millions without commission or preferential security as regards the remainder, thus assuring the success of the loan in London.

This, said Mr Chamberlain, would place no undue burden on the Transvaal, the Motherland accepting an adequate and liberal share. Orange River Colony, he added, would not be asked to contribute unless her resources hereafter warranted it. THE LABOUR PROBLEM. In his speech at the banquet at Johannesburg, Mr Chamberlain warmly denied agreeing to the proposal to introduce Chinese and Persian labourers to the Transvaal.

There was he said, sufficient labour available in South Africa if the Kaffirs could be forced to work.

Commenting on the increase in white labour, he said that whereas prior to the war there was one white to every nine Kaffirs, the proportion now was one to five. If the proportion were increased, it would make South Africa a white man’s country. Proceeding, Mr Chamberlain said it was now essential to develop the present supply and increase the efficiency of white ! abour. It was only hereafter that they could consider drastic measures.

Lord Milner announced that prior to the appointment of a Royal Commission it was intended to call an Intercolonial Conference to consider the native administration and legislation.