SOUTH AFRICA’S' PROBLEM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 56, 6 November 1913, Page 4

SOUTH AFRICA’S' PROBLEM.

TJiat the future of the native races in the most important problem South Africa has to meet will be acknowledged by all who have any practical knowledge of the country, says the “Natal Witness,” which specially discusses the Kaffir. The South African Kaffir is now, at best, a semi-barbar-ian, and the hereditary instincts of savagery are still strong within him. But he is- by no means devoid of natural intelligence. He is above all imitative and anxious to adopt ways and customs he deems superior to his own, oven when unable to understand their utility or significance. Moreover, he now considers irksome the strict tribal rules which made him the unquestioning servant of his chiefs and desires to secure for 'himself the freedom that makes the white man independent. Increased contact with the dominant race intensifies this ddsire, and it is only consonant with his untutored condition that his ambitions in this direction should he guided more by the wish to have licence, even to excess, than to undertake the more serious responsibilities of Ids masters. The doctrine that all men are equal especially appeals to him, for he translates it into meaning that he should he allowed to gratify his basest passions without let or hindrance just as, unfortunately, he sees is done by the degraded Europeans who are far too frequently his intimate associates. Then again, the native has not the incentives to work that compel the European to do so if he is to live. The latter must labour or starve, while the Kaffir, provided lie can acquire land enough to squat upon or purchase some wives and obtain a small herd of cattle, can live a life of ease and indolence at his kraal.