SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 177, 19 August 1909, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. By Gable. —Press Association.—Copyright London, August IT. The second reading of the South African Union Bill was carried without division and referred to a committee of the whole House. The Right Hon. Sir C. W. Dilke deplored the erection of a terrible iba.r against colored people, who but for their descent would be eligible for membership in the new Parliament.) Colonel Seclv, Under - Secretary of State for the Colonies, warned the House that if the words "of European descent" were struck out the union would be smashed.

The |Right Hon. A. Lyttelton regretted the color bar, but said there was nothing to* prevent the Union Parliament retracing its step. Mr. Balfour, Ijeader of the Opposition, remarked that he intended to vote for anything the rnt said was necessary for the success of the Bill, which was a wonderful issue, evolved- out of all tho divisions, controversies, battles, bloodshed, devastation and horrors of w'ar. He did not believe the world had shown anything like it in its whole history. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Asquith, Prime Minister, said he believed the Union to be the harbinger of a more enlightened, generous, native policy. Interference from the Motherland—spasmodic, capricious, perhaps sentimental. interference—would be the very worst policy in the interests of the unlives themselves.

Colonel Beely did not believe the Tnioii Parliament would attempt to interfere with the colored franchise in Cnpe Colony. If it did, Cnpe representation would be strong enough to .prevent n.