South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 26 February 1903, Page 2

South Africa.

AN APPEAL FOR UNITY. Mr Chamberlain, in the course of a speech, said he wished he could think he would be alive to see the fulfilment of South African federation. He was confident as regards the rest of South Africa and now almost sanguine as to the Cape itself. The time of his active service for Empire, Mr Chamberlain added, was necessarily drawing to a close, and it would be the greatest happiness of his life if his last act of statesmanship was the uniting of the two white races. , THE BOND. The address of the Afrikander Bond to Mr Chamberlain protested unalterable attachment to the British connection and a fervent hope for federation on the model of Australia and Canada. Mr Hofmeyr (the Bond leader) promised to appeal to the Dutch to promote a good understanding for the happiness and prosperity of all classes. He deprecated all offensive acts-by either race. Mr Chamberlain said Mr Hofmeyr’s admirable statement was a hopeful and happy augury of future peace and goodwill He complained that the deputation had treated rebelling too lightly. He challenged the statement that the racial differences dated from the Jameson raid. Personally, he considered they began a quarter of a century ago. Referring to federation, Mr Chamberlain expressed the hope that one day one great Parliament of an Imperial race would be established

The concensus of-opinion in Capetown is that Mr Chamberlain’s interview with the Bond leaders is the best day’s work, he has accomplished. , Many members of the deputation congratulated Mr Chamberlain, who remarked privately that Mr Hofmeyr’s statement was a better Imperial asset than a ten million war contribution. THE SUGGESTED WAR CONTRIBUTION. A Reuter’s message states that it was informally suggested to Mr Chamberlain that the Gape war contribution of ten millions should be final as an absolate proof of Dutch loyalty. Some urged that the amount was excessive. Mr Chamberlain declined any contribution which was not made absolutely unanimously and spontaneously. LABOUR ON THE RAND. The Johannesburg Chamber of Mines and the Native labour Association have sent a commission to China to report upon the question of the employment of Chinese labour on the Rand. The prospects of recuiting South African natives are much brighter. The Kaffirs are responding to the offer of higher wages. DEPUTATION. Sir Henry Juta, a member of the Parliament of Cape Colony, introduced to Mr Chamberlain a deputation of persecuted Dutch loyalists, who assert that boycotting and ostracising had increased They asked for a dissolution of Parliament and the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to report on the loyalists’ wrongs. Andries Cronje stated that if loyal Cape Dutch were persecuted he would find them farms in the Trahsvaal.

Mr Chamberlain promised that loyalists would receive generous compensation for losses. The Government, he said, was trying various ways to differentiate in favour of loyalists. Proceeding, Mr Chamberlain said he hoped Mr Hofmeyer’s avowed abhorrence of persecution would stop boycotting. He pointed out that it was impossible to appoint an Imperial Commission to inquire into the social condition of an autono-

mous colony. He asked for authentic instances of persecution. Mr Chamberlain remarked that? he was surprised to find that both parties agreed it was constitutionally impossible to dissolve Parliament till late in 1903. POSITION OF AUTONOMOUS COLONIES. Addressing the Cape Chamber of Commerce, Mr Chamberlain* impressed upon the autonomous colonies the necessity of realising their position. The burden of Empire, he said, was becoming greater than the Motherland could bear alone. As the colonies grew in influence and wealth they must either abandon idea of forming part of the Empire or take a full share of responsibility. Referring to the war contribution he said it would be better to do WiV-hout to acce a g ran t relucv’' gi ven - M r o/'amberlain sails for England bytheNor> mCa9tle on Wednes ' day.