South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 14 February 1903, Page 2

South Africa.

THE POLITICAL AGITATION. The Boer journal “ Onsland ” states that the deputation which waited upon Mr Chamberlain and had a somewhat stormy interview, and which was headed by Christian De Wet, represented the views of the great majority of burghers. “The time has come,” adds Onsland, “ to open the doors of the political prisons in South Africa.” Many Dutch residents joined in an enthusiastic welcome to Mr Chamberlain at Grahamstown. Mr Chamberlain fervently appealed to the Dutch to loyally accept the result of the war and to assist to promote peace and banish racial animosity now that the chimerical idea of wresting the sovereignty of South Africa from Britain had been dispelled. ATTACKS ON MR CHAMBERLAIN. The “ Daily News ” and the “ Star ” attack Mr Chamberlain for demanding active loyalty before granting justice.- They protest against differentiating between the Boers, and sneer at the National Scouts. LOUIS BOTHA. General Louis Botha «is selling his property in the Yryheid district which has been added to Natal, and has bought farms near Standerton. , MR CHAMBERLAIN. Speaking at a banquet at Gtahama-

town, Mr Chamberlain attributed Dutch discontent to a mischievous designed to foster race feeling. He appealed to the Dutch to put aside separate aspirations, and to become partners in an Empire destined to accomplish a great mission of justice, freedom and equality. He said he was sanguind of The assured loyalty of the new colonies, and the Cape would lose its footing unless it followed the rest of South Africa, while the Motherland would defend her heritage to the last man.

Mr Chamberlain went on to say that the colonies had their share of the responsibilities of the Empire. Addressing all the colonies, he said they were not doing what they ought in regard to their obligations to the Empire. All hope of the Empire’s future was based on the feeling that the colonies would co-operate with the Motherland, and would prove that the Empire was founded on community of sacrifice. A PLEA FOR RACIAL UNITY. It he had hia way, the people would not speak of “Dutch” or “ English.” They should seldom use those designations. They should make good citizenship, not racial traditions, the test of patriotism. , Personally, he was sanguine of the future. Throughout life he had found that many things had a curious habit of happening much as he expected, and he was now sanguine of the union of South Africa. Mr Chamberlain commented on the extraordinary prosperity of Cape Colony— the only self-governing colony which had actually profited by the war. He pointed out that while the other colonies in South Africa were increasing taxation, the Cape had a gigantic surplus. UNDESIRABLE IMMIGRANTS. Four hundred coolies Wfife not allowed to land in South Africa. Numbers of Continental Europeans have been provisionally detained, and Will possibly be repatriated. Owing to the prevalence of plague at Durban, Asiatics, whether furnished with permits or otherwise, are not admitted into the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies. Immigrant Russian and Polish Jews, chiefly undesirables, are evading the Cape "subsistence regulations by borrowing from Jews at Capetown, who subscribed six thousand pounds for the purpose within a few hours.