South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 9 June 1903, Page 2

South Africa.

Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, Governor of Cape. Colony, in his speech on opening the Cape Parliament, expressed gratification at the large measure of success attending the policy of peace and reconciliation.

There was everywhere, said Sir Walter, a remarkable indication of subsidence of racial troubles, and it was expected that the Government would shortly relax the remaining minor restrictions on liberty. Mr Chamberlain’s visit had materially contributed to this improvement

The great advantage of a Customs Union would, his Excellency continued, so outweigh the objections that he hoped Parliament would ratify the Bloemfontein Convention, which would bt a lo*g

stride towards federation. THE CUSTOMS CONVENTION. The Bloemfontein Oustoma Convention has been published. It cancels advalorem duties on the following articles, substituting fixed duties -Cattle' 30s ; sheep, ss; meats, including large, Id per lb. (All these are suspended at present). Butter, butterine and margarine, 2d per lb; condensed milk, per lb ; coal, 3a per ton ; coke 2s per ton ; corn Is per cental; flour, 2s per cental; fodder, Is ; fruits, 2d per lb. The convention grants rights to, levy an increased duty on sugar equal to the amount of , bouiity allowed by any country outside the Brussels convention. Other duties are—-Wines, 20 per cent proof, 4s per gallon; not exdeeding 60 per cent, proof, 8s per gallon : sparkling wines, 12s 6d per gallon plus 10 per cent, ad valorem. A rebate of 25 per cent, is allowed on articles which are the growth, produce and manufacture of the United Kingdom; also on manufactures of British colonies granting reciprocal privilege to the Sonth African Union. The draft ordinance providing for the Transvaal’s entry into the Customs Union has been read a first time in the Transvaal Legislature.