South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 3 February 1903, Page 2

South Africa.

SIR GORDON SPRIGG AND THE BOND. Sir Gordon Sprigg, Premier of Cape Colony, in an interview at Mafeking, denied that Mr J. H. Hefmayr, former, leader of the Afrikander Bond, shaped his Government’s policy. He declared that he had not seen Mr Hofmeyr for two years. The Premier admitted the Cape loyalists being boycotted though ha said the report in oo mectiou therewith had bee a gr ossly exaggerated. AT KIMBERLEY. Mr and Mrs Chamberlain have arrived at Kimberley, where they were welcomed with great enthusiasm. The Mayoress of Kimberley presented Mrs Chamberlain with a silver casket containing five magnificent rough diamonds. The reception to the party ia the Town Hall was the most enthusiastic and frenzied of the tour.

Mr Chamberlain made a great speech, dealing with questions of Empire. Mr Chamberlain added that unless Cape Colony altered her policy she would be left out in the cold when federation came.

Sir Gordon Sprigg (Premier of Capa Colony) was loudly hissed when leaving the building. At a banquet in the evening Mr Chamberlain eulogised Kimberley as “the mother of South Africa, responsible for the existence of the Rand and Rhodesia ” LABOUR ON THE RAND.

It will be remembered that a short time ago it was announced by cable from London, that the Rand mine-owners had interviewed Mr Chamberlain requesting his approval of the introduction of Asiatic coolies to work in the Rand mines.

Mr Seddon immediately cabled a protest, pointing oat that there was no need for the introduction of Asiatics since the quartz mines in the Gulf of Carpentaria were worked by white men under less favourable climatic conditions than existed on the Rand, and that on the West Coast of the Middle Island of New Zealand quartz mines were being worked successfully with a yield of leas gold per ton than the mines on the Rand gave A subsequent cablegram from London showed that Mr Chamberlain had pointed out that the introduction of Chinese would not be received favourably by the British people.

On this a joint cablegram was sent by the Prime Minister ol the Commonwealth ahd<Mr Seddon CCUearring in this expression. The Premier received the following cable from Mr Barton “ Referring to yoar telegram of the 19th, the following has been received from Mr Chamberlain:- ‘ Thanks for your cable. Report of speeches incorrect, Public opinion here (South .Africa) is, at present, decidedly against Chinese labour and no authorised proposal has been made to import it.’ ” A WARNING. Mr Chamberlain, speaking at Vryburgj on the railway between Mafeking and Kimberley, said the only evil influence to be feared was mischief-makers intruding into public life. Some had already entered the Transvaal, and had been properly told to mind their own business. As they were not gentlemen who fought, they ought not to 1 be allowed to make strife. - JOHANNESBURG. Government employees’ houses are being erected at Johannesburg at ! the cost of a million sterling. The i rent is not to; exceed one-sixth of • the salary of the occupants. ' ... ■. -■ L ■