TRANSVAAL CONSTITUTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8172, 3 August 1906, Page 2

TRANSVAAL CONSTITUTION.

CONDEMNED BY CONSERVATIVES AND UNIONISTS. LIBERAL PRESS HALF APOLOGETIC. . ALL RESULTS OF WAR SUERENDERED. FEAR OF GERMANY. EXCITEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. LoNDO.N, AllgUSt 1. Lords Milncr and Courtney (late St. Hon. W. L. Courtney) are agreed that single member constituencies are likely to increase the cleavage between Briton and Boer. Both preferred a system of proportional representation. In the House of Commons Mr Lytfceltoh declared that the presence of German troops and many Boer volun. tcers in German South West Afrioa ought to have bc»n considered before the Transvaal was given self-govern-ment. By reducing our power so soon after the war, in the event of a disturbance in Europe Lho propinquity o. those troops would possibly be a serif ous factor. He said the Government was evidently anxious' to transfer to the Transvaal their responsibilities with regard to the Chinese.

" The Times" bespeaks courage and determination on the part of the British ' in the Transvaal, who should do their 'i best under the new conditions.

The tone of the Liberal organs is half apologetic. Tho " Daily Chronicle" admits the prospects of a very narrow majority, and also admits the draw, backs involved in tho granting of manhood suffrage. The "Daily News" deolares that the Constitution is a compromise, the bost feature being tho automatic expiry of the Chinese ordin. ance.

The " Morning Post" says ijiat a number of Unionists will welcome the general outlines of the Government scheme, but if the Boers' action is incompatible with loyalty to the' Crown, both British political parties will unite against them.

Lord Milner declared that the Government had precipitately risked placing the whole executive power in the hands of men totally unfit. Sir West E idgeway is confident that all parties in the Transvaal will loyally support the Constitution. Mr W. T. Stead says that it is evident that the Boers with British sympathisers will command a permanont majority in the Transvaal. Many Unionist members and Chamber of Commerce urge the leaders to rouse the nation, believing the Governmont policy will drive the Boers to seek the Kaiser's assistance for a South African Federation.

Mr Balfour has denounced manhood suffrage as an obstacle; any colored '-- suffrago would also be au obstacle tofederation; but above all tho granting of self-Governmont without the usual transitional period after tho war was w

| most dangerous. Mr Balfour added: "I am astonished at so unprecedented, audacious, and reckless an experiment. The memories of the Dutcu are memories oi ttie war. They are human: hovr can we ask them to change their sentiment 't Can the political institutiojK about to be given be made a substitute for the military organisation, which brougbtthem Honorably into ihc field in )S!)li at the lime ot the Jameson I raid? There is notbing i 0 prevent the country from quietly preparing for ', v new war. What'auiuiaies mom eanaot be a deliberate preference for the o [ t | state of things, I believe it will •come itt limc > hut you llc » askiug the ) Dutch to do waat i' aa whl not do i£ you were i a thcir P laco -" ' Tho uou r of the closure approaching, Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, who was angry, sa 'd that b.o had neyer listened to a more uuworthy, mischievous and provocative speech. The Prime Minister's speech was greeted . with loud Opposition protests and cries of " s'aame " and " withdraw," There : were also Ministerial counter cheers. The vote was carried by 316 to 83.

The comments of the nowspapers are guarded owing to the momentous issues of the Government's policy.

, The "Daily Mail" says that lbs r ; Government's complete surrender o£ all the results of the war justified General Smuts' prediction that the Boers would get from the Liberals all • for which they had fought. : As a result of Mr Winston Churchill's speech the London Stock Ex[change opened nervously, but after- .. ; wards steadied. South African's were . ' illat and a shade easier. 1 FEELING IN SOUTH AFRICA. Received 2, 0.27 p,m. JoiUNNESIR'BG, August Z. The constitution proposals were re« ceived at Johannesburg with a feeling of relief on the termination of the bus* pense. Opinion in Cape Colony fears trouble* may arise respecting the Second Chamber. , Opinion in Bloemfontein, is divided regarding tho postponement of Oran« gia's Constitution. The newspaper "Post," says the Imperial decision is a victory for couw inon sense aud it hoped the Goyernment will leave well alone. CANADIAN NEWSPAPER OPINION. Ottawa, August 2V TLe " Toronto Globe " says there is no reason to fear that the Boers, after their spirited struggle and acceptance of an honorable peace, will fail to appreciate the niagnamity of now treating them as trustworthy friends. SURPRISE IN GERMANY. Received 2, 10.59 p.m. BiaiLiN, August i. The Berlin newspaper " Nord- -<• deutsche Zeitung " expresses surprise at Hon. A. Lyttelton's reference to Germany in South-west Africa, in view of the frank aud explicit state" ments made in the Reichstag. " IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSE." BRITISH PARTY FRANKLY DISAPPOINTED. Received 2,11.15 p.m. London, August 2. The "D:iily Telegraph" says tho general verdict of the Colonies and tho."' City on tho Transvaal ConstitutiSt ' may be summarised in the phrase, often recurring yesterday, "it might haY6> been worse," " Tho Times' " Johannesburg oorros- j : pondent reports that the British party <a aro frankly disappointed with tlifelj Constitution, iafl