SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANS VAAL REPUBLIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5035, 14 May 1877, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANS VAAL REPUBLIC.

In view of the annexation of the Transvaal Republic, the following speech on South African affairs, delivered by Karl Carnarvon at a dinner to Sir BarUe Frere, the new Governor of the Capo, will be read with interest:—Lord Carnarvon said:—Mr. Goschen, my Lords, and Gentlemen, —As “ all roads lead to Rome,” so every speech that is made here this evening must have some reference to my distinguished and right hon. friend Sir Bartle I cannot make the few observations with which it is necessary for me to trouble you without paying my tribute to his great merits, and without expressing my more than confident hope that the task which he has undertaken will be discharged with all that signal ability ami success which have distinguished him throughout his past illustrious career. (Cheers.) When in former times a Roman pro-Consul went out to take possession of bis province, the citizens in that province, and particularly the natives, trembled, for he went out to pillage, to plunder,aud to oppress. It is a different case with us. My right hon. iriend goes out trained in the high school of AngloIndian statesmanship—he goes out ripe in years, in honor, and ability ; he goes out also with that kindliness of temperament, that geniality of disposition, and that social sympathy with the native races which, in my opinion, constitute not weakness, but real strength. (Cheers,) And there is need in South Africa for all these qualities. Sir Bartle Frero goes out not as the Governor of a Crown colony, but as one who will have to carry on the task of government in conjunction with local advisers. As in the old fairy tale the princess is always supposed to be endowed with every gift under Heaven subject to one single drawback, so in that great, that rich, that wonderful hind—South Africa, there is one

cause of much anxiety, and that cause of anxiety, as all South Africans know, is the native question, (Hear, hear.) To that all other questions are subordinate. It is the question which underlies, which shapes the whole policy, and which though now a source of anxiety and sometimes a source of danger, I firmly believe may be made a source of strength and of future prosperity. (Cheers.) From time to time, no doubt, we have had evidence of the just cause of this anxiety. When two or three years ago disturbances arose in Natal, and when within the last twelve months great danger became apparent in the Transvaal Republic, those events were signals that impressed us like flashes of lightning in a dark room. Yet, on the other hand, something has been done during recent years greatly to diminish those dangers and to give my right hon. friend an augury of success in his treatment of them. It has been our good fortune to secure a settlement with Sir. Brand, the President of the Orange Free State, of an old and irritating controversy, and by this means, as I trust, to do away with any bad dealing between the English and Dutch population, the latter having given a pledge and guarantee of their future friendship, and having, I hope, been convinced that the English people, no matter what Government imyy be in power, are prepared always to deal justly and fairly with them. (Heai’, hear). Moreover, a Conference has been held iu Loudon for the discussion of points of vital interest, and 1 am happy to think that we have been enabled by this means to agree on many principles of common action. You have most truly said, sir, that we are here assembled, men of all shades of politics, yet united in one common object; and it would ill become anyone, no matter what his position might be, to raise a single controverted point of political doctrine. Yet perhaps it would be an affectation for me to hide my opinion that among the means which are iu contemplation for the union of South Africa iu closer bonds with this country, I count the Bill which it has been ray fortune to send out to the South African colonies within the last month or two (cheers), and I will take this opportunity, in justice to my right hon. friend Sir Bartle Frere, to correct one extraordinary misconception which ap- , pears, I know not how, to have arisen with regard to that Bill It was but a few hours ago that a letter was placed in my hands in which the writer—a most able and intelligent South African critic, who is perhaps at this tablestated that his objection to that measure was that it was framed for the purpose of abolishing representative government iu South Africa. How is it conceivable that anybody can suppose that to be practicable, or can imagine that I or anyone holding the seals of office under the Queen could for one moment dream of such a ridiculous and absurd chimera as that ? So far from weakening or shaking in the slightest degree the liberty of self-government which was accorded freely and cheerfully to the Cape, I trust fur my own part that this Bill will strengthen that self-government, and will be found hereafter to bo one of the strongest buttresses that could have been built in its support. (Cheers.) Let me only further add that this Bill is essentially permissive. It is for the colonies and the States of South Africa to take it or leave it as they please. There is not a shadow of a shade of compulsion, for the Bill was framed with a view of eliciting reasonable and houest comment. Such comment I for one heartily welcome, and 1 may be permitted to say that I welcome the signs I notice in various papers which come betore me of a growing tendency on the part of those who have been opponents to believe it possible that I am actuated by a desire to promote the interests of South Africa. (Cheers.) Ido heartily trust that the mission of my right hon. friend may be one more link to the chain which will bind South Africa in still closer bonds to the great British Empire. (Cheers.) There is one bond which at present we have great cause to regret—l mean the electric telegraph ; but X trust ere long to see that want supplied. "We have, at least, an excellent line of steamers, and I have welcomed most heartily the personal acquaintance which I have been enabled through that means to form with South African colonists. Through that friendly intercourse I have found that misunderstandings have diminished, and that where men have met to differ they have parted not only with mutual esteem, but even to agree. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord concluded, amid cheers, by proposing the toast entrusted to him, and heartily •wishing all prosperity to the South African colonies.