THE BOER GOVERNMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 18 March 1907, Page 3

THE BOER GOVERNMENT

Interviewed nt Auckland regarding the personnel of llii- new 'l'riinsvaiil Ministry, ill- G. Hutchison, ox-.M.11.K. for Paten, wlio ri'liiriii'il from South Afrba about a year ago, said hi; thought that in a few' years, Dm Boer Party would ask for the power of appointing their! own Governor. The members of the present nominative chamber, who have lieen a[ipointed by the (jovernor, acting on behalf of tliu imperial Government, will hold ollice for live years. At the end of that period the Boers, assuming that, the* remain in their present majority will, .Mr Hutchison thinks, probably seek to be permitted to appoint members of the nominative chamber, or In have the appointment of the Governor in their own hands. 'They are on top, and no doubt they will make use of all the ollicial machinery available to secure their ends. During the next live years it is not likely that any particular aggressive action will be taken, but the present position is quite, if i may use the term, 'aliti-18!)!).' Even now it i- practically the same as it was before the war. and at the end of live vear> it mav become actually the same." iliie-lii,in>,L 'a, lo the probable altitude of the n.w Government in regard to Ihe t'aiiic.-i- labor <|iiesl oil. Air Hutchison said lie thought it would go in for the gradual repatriation of the Chinese now engaged in ihr mines. In this it uould no doubl have the co-operation of the Nationalist and Labor parties. "Probably.- he said, "llet Yolk will'ro In for repatriation af I lie end of the three years' term. Kallir labor is insufficient, and the capitali-is, as you know, have threat.■uel lo shut down the mines ralher than employ white labor." ••Would not tlie mines par if- worked with white labor." he was'asked. •• I think they would,'' he replied. " The i dividends are apparently large enough, . but the capitalists are adverse to using . white labor, not only on the ground of extra expense, but also on account of i the possibilities of the engagement of ft-liUd men assisting in I lie building up of a strong labor party, who would legislate against their interests."