South Africa.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 27, 2 February 1914, Page 5

South Africa.

UNION'S UNSETTLED STATE

OPENINC OF PARLIAMENT.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright]

[United Press Association.J Capetown, January 31

I Lord Gladstone, in opening the South jAfrieaii Parliament, justified the declaring of martial law to deal with industrial, social, and economic unrest, alid to prevent the recurrence of lawlessness. He thanked the citizen jforces tor their ready response, and the rapidity of mobilisation, which succeeded in preventing bloodshed. 11l view of the unsettled state of the Union, only pressing measures would be considered.

ITHE BUSINESS OF THE CESSION.

London, January 31

Renter's Capetown correspondent states that the session is unlikely to exceed two months, the main business being to indemnify the Government, pass the Budget, and consider a Bill for the settlement of the Indians' grievances.

The Labourites threaten to obstruct the business on every occasion next week, and the Hertzogites also threaten trouble, while the Young Unionists, constituting the irreconcilable wing >f the Opposition, intend to adopt a

severely critical attitude. The Government's position is, nevertheless regarded as very strong, and t is anticipated that the Indemnity uul other measures will he carried by >verwhelming majorities. Johannesburg, January 81.

A further relaxation of martial law innounces that no night passes will lo required except at Benone and Boxburg North. Two improvised bombs were discovered in a billiard room in Benoni.

KAFFIRS AND WHITES.

CAN THE DEPORTEDS APPEAL?

London, January 3]

The Daily Mail says the English Laborites overlook the fact that the ivhites are fewer than 1,800,000 in the presence of a Kaffir population of ',000,000, which is a perpetual source if anxiety and danger, hence the struggle in the Rand was like a duel in a )owder magazine.

They repeatedly demanded the nationalisation of British railways, yet i strike, leading to deportations, originated on a State railway. As the •esult of national ownership, the strikers were not lighting a number )f private individual directors and shareholders, who could be squeezed >r frightened, but were involved in a struggle with the State and all its •esources.

A question has been raised whether he deporteds cannot appeal to the

'rivy Council

The Liberal newspaper Nation narks that the Colonial Office in 1867 declined to approve of the New Zealand indemnity Acts for actions done in sood faith in the suppression of a lat'ive rising, but covering all the acts lone in suppression of rebellion withrat qualification. The Nation asks why this course was not taken in South Africa.

Mr Sherwell, M.P., in a, speoch at Huddersfield, urged the suspension of judgment concerning the deportations until the facts were known. South Africa's condition was unique. Its civilisation was reared on a powder magazine. During visit he discussed matters with Messrs Botha and Smuts, and in the light of latest events he believed there would be no greater fallacy than to interpret their iction as an attack on trade unionism. He added that South Africa in July vas as near social upheaval or revolution as any country had been in modern times. The British trade union movement had nothing to gain but everything to lose by association with ■anarchy and destruction. PRESS CENSORSHIP.

(Received 8.-15 a.m.) London, February I

The absence of important South African news is attributed to the ceniorship preventing comments until the Indemnity Bill is submitted. Capetown, February 1.

It is reported that Government Labour leaders aboard a fast tug unsuccessfully tried to sight the Umgeiii off Cape Point.

THE COLOR QUESTION.

Sydney, February 2

The Herald, commenting on tlie South African deportations, says that as far as the circumstances have a bearing on Australian conditions, it can only lie said that public opinion would not tor one hour tolerate similar action in this country, but there is a vast difference between the African 'and Anglo-Saxon States of the Empire. Whilst Canada, Australia, and Now Zealand have no alien population, in Africa there is a million whites among four million blacks.

THE DEPORTEDS' FAMILIES.

(Received 9.20 a.m.)

Johannesburg, February 1

Bain, writing to his wife, states that the deported Labour leaders were informed that free passages would be provided for their wives and children.