SOUTH AFRICAN FEDERATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 9, 4 February 1909, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICAN FEDERATION

THE CAPITAL QUESTION. Durban, February 2. Tension at the Soutn African Convention continue*. Several delegate., tlireat<'il to leave. Neither the Transvaal nor tlape Colony is prepared to give way. The main chance of a successful conclusion seems to be in the nature of a compromise, Capetown becoming the legislative capital with the Federal Parliament, Pretoria the administrative capital with the Civil Service, and Bloemfontein the headquarters of the Judiciary. COMPLETE AGREEMENT ARRIVED AT. ALL THE COMPROMISES REJECTED. CONSTITUTION TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE PARLIAMENTS.

11 Received 3, 10.53 p.m. Durban, February 3. The Convention has reached a complete agreement. It rises to-morrow. iThough 110 official news is available, the statement is eon-firmed that Capetown will be the scat of the legislature and Pretoria, the seat of the administration. i A draft constitution was completed a fortnight ago, save the preamble and site of the capital.

. After a week's discussion, Natal and Orangia were persuaded that they- hail no claim left, the decision being in the liands of their colleagues representing ■the Transvaal and Cape Colony. > All the compromises, including the suggestion concerning a neutral site, were rejected. The delegates were physically and mentally wearied bv the interminable and apparently futile discussion, the crisis being reached yesterday evening. The delegates now propose to address meetings in their respective centres and expound the constitution, which will be submitted .simultaneously to special ses-1 jsions of Parliaments at the end of March. Afterwards the Convention assembles again to consider the amendments. Assuming there are no insurmountable obstacles, the Imperial Parliament will pass the Union Act upon receipt of petitions from the South African Parliaments. It is possible the union will be accomplished by next year.