SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 177, 5 November 1910, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

NAVAL EASE AT THE CAPE. | I By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Capetown, November 3. In the presence of a representative gathering of 20,000 people, including the members of the Ministry, the Duke of Connaught laid the completion stone and pressed the button admitting the water into the new dock. In his speech the Duke said that while , South Africa was no longer merely a link in the chain of Imperial communications, her importance as a naval base survived, and the dock was a practical re- , cognition of this fact. BANQUET TO VISITING MINISTERS. J SPEECH BY MR. FISHER. 1 Capetown, November 3. ' Reuter states that the Government official banquet to-night, welcoming Messrs Fishtr, Lemieux (Canada) and Fowlds 1 •was a notable gathering, including Major- 1 General Scobell, four Administrators, ' Senators, members of the Assembly and I of the National Convention. Mr. Sauer, ' Minister of Railways and Harbors, pre- 1 sided in the absence of Mr. Botha, who • was indisposed. 1 Mr. Sauer proposed the toast of the 1 guests and pointed out that the experi- 1 ente of Canada and Australia had large- > ly helped the members of the National ' Convention in drafting the constitution. 1 He ascribed the progress of South Af- 1 rica first to the character of the people, secondly to the early and adequate ap- ! plication of Liberal principles by the Imperial Government. Dr. Jameson, supporting the toast, said he hoped they might be able to repay their debt to Australia and Canada by giving encouragement to these countries to advance to complete union through the success of South Africa. Mr. Fisher, replying, referred to the wonder of the people who had been at strife a few years since being able by the enlightened policy of the Imperial Government, sanctioned by British subjects in all pa'rts of the world, to form a union. He brought the goodwill of four and a-half millions of whites. He urged that members of Parliament should speak their thoughts openly, enabling a settlement of the remaining differences to be reached as early as possible. Since his arrival in South Africa, he had seen a happy and contented people with a small minority who shook their heads mournfully over what had occurred. He did not agree with them. Nothing had taken place in the world's history in recent times which would have a greater effect on the world than the Union of South Africa. Now five nations were willing to co-operate in the common affairs and wider concerns affecting the interests of civilised humanity. He warmly suggested the idea of delegations perambulating the world from one dominion to another, giving encouragement and perhaps criticism. In conclusion, Mr. Fisher offered a welcome from the Australian people and Parliament. Mr. Lemieux conveyed the fraternal greetings of Canada, and alluded to the transition from war to union as the greatest miracle from British constructive genius. He urged the application to South Africa of the Canadian principles of welding races, promising the same would have most satisfactory results. MR. FOWLD'S REMARKS. Capetown, November 4. Mr. G. Fowlds reminded his hearers of the fact that the late Sir George Grey was recalled from South Africa half a century ago' because he favored responsible Government. South Africa was, he said, geographically one of the keystones of the Imperial arch, and had great prospects of mutual respect, goodwill and toleration characterising the relations of the people. He praised the qualities of the Dutch, than whom none were more loyal subjects of the Crown. Lord de Villiers, proposing the "Union of South Africa," laid stress on the assertion that there was no real racial difficulty in South Africa, emphasising that in the matter of language the fittest would survive. Ex-Premier Merriman, in replying, said he had never feared trifles like a difference of language. If South Africa ever became a great people, it would be in the mode of treatment of the natives, which must be guided by justice, freedom and tolerance. THE FIRST PARLIAMENT. THE KING'S MESSAGE DELIVERED. SPEECH BY THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT. Receiived 5, 0.20 a.m. Capetown, November 4. The inauguration of the first Union Parliament is occurring this morning in superb weather. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught and Lord and Lady Gladstone led the procession from Government House through the principal thoroughfares of the city to Parliament House. The streets were lined with troops and thronged with enthusiastic crowds. They reached Parliament House at noon, and were received by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the As- # sembly. They proceeded to the Assembly Chamber, where the Duke of Connaught delivered a speech and the King's Message. Lord Gladstone delivered the opening speech, whereafter Parliament met f business. Reuter reports that tV blowing is the text of the Duke of Comr'isht's speech:— "Gentlemen of the Senate and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly.—On the 21st Zebniaij last, my_ b§lored find

deeply lamented brother, King Edward, in his speech to the Imperial Parliament, dwelt on the establishment of the Union of South Africa, and his desire wa9 that I his son, then the Prince of Wales, should make an extended tour through the dominion and open in his name the first session of the new Parliament. But by the inscrutable ordering of events that purpose, charged with so deep interest and meaning for all subjects both here and at Home, was not to be fulfilled. The sudden calamity which within a few weeks bereaved the Empire of its revered Sovereign thus fell with particular severity on South Africa herself. It broke the chain of close abiding forethought which linked my illustrious brother to the welfare of this great territory, and effaced with one blow all those wellplaced arrangements for doing high honor to the birth of the Union Parliament, which held a prominent place in his thoughts even during the closing hours of his life. Received 5, 1.10 a.m. The Duke of Connaught continued: "I have it in command from His Majesty the King to convey to South Africa the expression of his keen and profound re- . gret that he has for the present been deprived of the gratification of coming amongst you in person. To have been here upon this great and historical occasion would have been to His Majesty, and also to his Queen, an inestimable pleasure, but the imperative and pressing duties and labors which at this time crowd upon His Majesty make it impossible for the King to be absent from the Mother Country. His Majesty, therefore, conferred upon me the honor of representing him to-dav. He has bidden me to assure you of his heartfelt gratitude for the warm sympathy extended throughout the whole of South Africa to himself and family in the irreparable loss they sustained by the death of King Edward. As you are well aware, His Majesty is no stranger to his dominions beyond the seas. His association with them is lifelong, and they hold a large place in his heart.." (The speech is incomplete.)