SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 109, 5 June 1909, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

NATAL'S ACCEI'TASt'K I'lltjKl), Durban, .l.i.ie The Federal ion oi the ( lianioers of t'liinnieive, at I hi!'nan. In ml votes t» 4 nrgul Natal.-, acceptance of tue eoiHtiuttiou. A TYPICAL OFFICIAL SPKKCH. Received .hlilc 4, Il.Jitl p.m. Capetown, June 4. 11l (erring to the statements made uy Colonel Scelv ( t'ndei Secretary lor tae l olonies) in tin' lloUM.' of Commons, thaw anieiidiuents to the South Atrioin Const ilutiim may pomihly la- inaili- ill London, Mr. -I. \, Merrinmu, speaking at Capetown, described the statement as a tipical oilirial speech, made wilMout re■;,iid to colonial feeling. Colonel seel/s speech was more amazing because arwas spokesman of tile party which attacked Mr. Chamberlain when the Commonwealth iiill was before the Commons lor introducing amendments at variance with Australian views. ilr. J. \V. Sauer declared that us surely as the sun shone, once the union

was accomplished they would not tolerate interference in their affairs. The Colonial Office has issued an explanation that it is not intended to alter the constitution except is regard to technical phraseology. (Received June 4, 11 p.m. Capetown, June 4. The Assembly at Capetown, Mr, Sehreiner and Sir Uordon l'rigg alone dissenting, adopted lue constitution.

THE UNION QUESTION. Received June 4, 11.10 p.m. Pretoria, June 4, General Botha (Premier), shaking in the Assembly at Pretoria, declared that the union of Soutli Africa was nearly wrecked at the late Bloemfontein conference. The Transvaal only abandoned proportional representation in the face of gravest opposition. The speakers emphasised their disappointment at tne withdrawal of proportional representation.