UNITED SOUTH AFRICA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 105, 11 August 1910, Page 7

UNITED SOUTH AFRICA.

READY FOR EXPANSION. PLACE OF THE PLOUGH IN ITS DESTINY. "The incorporated States," said Sir •Richard Solomon, High Commissioner for the Southern African Union, to a London reporter recently, "are ready for an advance such as will be supplied by the new impetus. If I were asked to specify the three directions in which progress will be marked, I .should first point to the solution of the native problem. A sound national policy is bound to be devised. It stands to reason that one Government is likelier to attain this end sooner than four separate Governments, each legisating according to its own point of view.

There will also be a move in mining. It is already forging ahead, but the discovery of deposits of tin and copper, and a recent study of the gold areas, all point to enormous possibilities for enlargement. "If South Africa's agricultural lands are looked at one can easily indulge in optimistic language as to what will follow a more general adoption of the Irrigation Act passed by the Transvaal Government, a closer settlement policy, the spread of knowledge of dairy farming, cotton and tobacco-growing, etc. "During the last two years you might safely assert that agriculture has had an important revival, thanks largely to a progressive spirit in the Transvaal and the enthusiastic support of statesmen like General Botha, the Prime Minister. STARTLED FARMERS.

"The experimental farm at Potchefstroom has startled out of sleep a number of farmers as to what can be done. We are discovering how to produce grain with a South Airican individuality. "There can be no proper comparison between South Africa and Canada and Australia with regard to emigration. These countries, demand a supply of unskilled labor from the outside. We in South Africa do not, at least will not for years to come. The Union embraces 5;O00,O00 colored and 1,200,000 white peo ; ple, the former providing our unskilled labor. This should be borne in mind by intending emigrants. "When we come to bid for settlers on a larger scale than has been done hitherto we shall aim at securing the mm with a little capital and a natural aptitude for adapting himself to the needs of a new country. "As to new industries, between Port Elizabeth and St. John's river is a belt of land within three miles of the coast admirably suited to the production of a cotton superior, so experts have admitted, to that raised in Egypt or in the United States. The Cape Government eagerly encourages this industry by giving free seed and offering other facilities.

A GIGANTIC TASK. "I only mention -this—though similar illustrations could ,be drawnt from the cultivation of our' splendid maize—as indicative of what South Africaimay and will become when skill and capital are directed towards the cultivation of its soil. "Our destiny will be worked out by the plough. The engineer is working wonders; but the farmer who sends his sons to the new Agricultural College and is prepared to be guided by the results of experiments will work miracles. Of course we have to learn how to irrigate, and lots of other things, but giye us time." Asked as to his own duties, Sir Richard pointed out that under the Act of Union the office of Agent-General is abolished, so that one of his primary tasks will be that of amalgamation, and this will not be completed suc<-essfully till the eases, of one or two places run out — though negotiations are in progress for bringing that to a speedy end. As High - Commissioner Sir Richstrd Solomon is responsible for th: purchase of all material reqi.ivd by the Government, the negotiation of loans, and all military and dioio.nnic buviuts*. "To get .this train of buii i"s-i organised," said Sn Richard, is li'j' li»t Ciiny, and will mean sticking to '/uis rimin for ai least ./>ree n>"nU.« wi-.limit i:nerru[«tion."