South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 10 February 1903, Page 2

South Africa.

FREIGHTS TO THE CAPE. The Earl of Onslow, Undersecretary for the Colonies, speaking at a Chamber of Commerce dinner at Edinburgh, said ho blamed the shipping lines conference and the UnionCastle Company for the high freights impeding trade Now that the Transvaal and Orange River Governments were placing large orders for every kind of goods for the development of the colonies, the Colonial Office would endeavour to secure, even if it chartered its own steamers, fair but remunerative freight rates for the goods, both of the Government and the public* The New South Wales AgentGeneral (Hort. H. Copeland) described Lord Onslow’s announcement as the most cheering news he had received since he came to Britain. SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT AND MR CHAMBERLAIN. Sir William Harcourt has published a letter in The Timas complimentary of Mr Chamberlain add the progress he is making in improving the racial relations -in South Africa. He says that Mr Chamberlain has dealt with soffiC df the questions in a spirit all can approve and admire. AT BLOEMFONTEIN.

Me Chamberlain was presented With an address of Welcomo at Bloemfontein from the various municipalities of Orange River, Colony wherein all the Dutch delegates concurred in expressing the hope that Bloemfontein would soon be a federal capital.

Id Morning thanks, Mr Chamberlain declared that he was overwhelmed at their kindness. He interpreted the rejoicings on the occasion of the unique reception accorded him on Tuesday to rpean that they recognised the motives of bis visit.

PROMISES FOR THE FUTURE. Speaking at Bloemfontein, Mr Chamberlain promised the colonies progressive government on the lines of the late President Brand’s policy. Mr Chamberlain added, in reviewing his tour, that be had found the destruction of property > during the war greater than he anticipated. All the destruction, he said, had bean in the later stages of the war. Had peace bean declared at the time of the fall of Pretoria, and the disappearance of the Boer Governments nine-tenths of the suffering would have been avoided.

Leading Boers interviewed Mr Chamberlain at Bloemfontein. The Minister’s replies dispelled any lingering doubts, and they now express themselves convinced of his conciliatory attitude and sincerity. The Boers also stated that they consider Majo- Sir. Hamilton GooldAdams, Lieutenant-Governor of Orange River Colony, tba right man in the right place. THE CLERGY AND SCOUTS. The Standard says that Mr Chamberlain, speaking plainly to the Duteh clergy, denounced their pastoral inviting the National Scouts to confess their misdeeds preliminary to their forgiveness. The clergy replied that confession often removed bitterness and paved the way to friendship. They promised to inquire into certain specific cases of refusal by officers of the church to allow Communion. MR CHAMBERLAIN’S TOUR. Mr Chamberlain informed a deputation from the Bloemfontein Municipality that responsible government in the new colonies would not be granted for some time, though it would be given as soon as safety allowed.

Owing to the absence of early notification that the Immigration Act of Gape Colony would be enforced, between one and two thousand aliens are voyaging to Capetown. Many of them are liable to exclusion. Those so liable will be carried to Australia, whence they will be re-transported fco Europe. General Christian De Wet, with a party of others of the last fighters, had an interview lasting two hours with Mr Chamberlain, who declined to receive an address dealing with the language question, repeating the efforts recently made at Pretoria, and accusing the Government of contravening the terms of peace as arranged at Vereeniging, especially with regard to the amnesty question. This Mr Chamberlain indignantly denied.

A heated debate took place. General De Wet expressed himself as anxious to tear up the Vereeniging arrangement and begin afresh. Mr Chamberlain’s reply was direct, forcible and uncompromising. The “ Hands uppers " (surrenderors) and the National Soouts later on thanked Mr Chamberlain for al. he had done, and gave pledges of unswerving loyalty. The delegates forming the previous deputation declined to accept the hospitality of the Government.

Mr Chamberlain was hot satisfied as to the representative character of the first deputation of burghers, which was supposed to represent the three sections National Scouts, and those who fought to the end. Then came General Christian De Wet’s delegation, including Commandant Hertzog, Mr George Brand and Mr Drain. Mr Chamberlain declared that if the Veroeniging agreement were re-' vised he would dictate the terms. - General De Wet’s brother Piet headed the more influential section of loyalists. The Standard declares that General Christian De Wet will probably end by becoming an instrument of the Afrikander Bond in the struggle for mastery which has now begun between the various sections id South Africa. The Telegraph says that General De Wet occupies a similar position in the Orange River Colony to that of General Botha in the Transvaal. Both are willing to co-operate with the Government, buir are afraid to lose the confidence of the Boers.