SOUTH AFRICA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1823, 2 August 1906, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICA.

DECLARATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICY. EQUALITY FOR BOER AND BRITON.

DUTCH AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE TO BE USED. I’KISSS ASSOCIATION' —CJ OI *ViU< 1i IT Reeoived 9.46 p.m., August 1. London, August 1.

In tho Houso of Commons, in Committoo of Supply on tbo Colonial Office yolo, Mr Churohill, amidst Ministerial obeors, announced tho Government’s decisions as to tho Transvaal, which ho described us tho nerve centre of South Afrioa. Ho said tho constitution croutod under tho Lyttelton regime wbb defunct and unworkable. The Boors would hold aloof or btcoino wreckers of the coQßtiiution. Tho Government’s guiding prinoip'e was to make no difference in granting responsible government between Briton and Boer, botweon those who fought most loyally for us and those who resisted British arms with moat desperate courage. (Irish cheers.) The flower of the Boer nation, its most renowned leaders, reoog nissd the Vereen'nging settlement and King Elwa-d's lawful authority, and thoncoforward British supremacy in South Africa stood on the sure foundations of military honor and warlike achievement, far beyond reach of the transference of ono or two seats this way or that in tho local Parliament. South Africa’s future is permanent inclusion in the Empire, and domandod that the King bo equally sovereign of both races, both looking to Britain as a friend. Tho democratic principle of one vote one value was realisable fairly on a voter’s basis alone, owiog to the disparity of conditions in town and country —(Opposition cheers)—and there would be manhood suffrage —(Labor chcors). All adult males oged 21 who had been resident in the country half a year, except members of garrisons, would be entitled to vote by ballot. Sir West Ridgeway’s oommitteo had reported that there was no support for proportional representation. Hooce the Government's plan of single member seats. In Lord Selborne’s opinion tbs Government was perfectly fair in a'lotiirg, with the Boers’ reluctant assent under the committee’s pressure, thirtyfour seats to the Rand, including Krugersdorp, Bix to Pretoria, and twenty-nine to the rest of the country. Received 10.23 p in., August 1.

Mr Churchill continuing, said that members would be adequately paid.—(lrish and Labor cheers) —and elected for five years The Speaker would vacate the seat after being elected, because the Government majority was likely to bo small. It would be a hardship to deprive the majority of one or two or three votes necessary to effective administration. Speeches would be permissible in Dutch and English. There were undoubtedly more British voters than Dutch lie hoped there would he a coalition Government, with a moderate leader acceptable to Jbotli Parties. Such a solution would be a Godsend to South Africa. (Ministerial cheers). He was confident that whatever the majority, it would in no circumstances fail to do its duty- to tho Crown. It would be the duty of whoever represented tho Colonial Office in the House of Commons to stand between the new parliament and all unjustiflible interference, from whatever quarter of the House it emanated. The second chamber, which would have the same duration as the first parliament, would consist of fifteen members nominated by the Crown. Later it would become elective. In regard to coolies there would be freedom (o recruit black labor independently of na tivo labor associated with certain large minos. In return for this concession the J. B Robinson group surrenders 3000 outstanding Chinese licenses. The constitution would prevent labor of a servile character. Lord Selborno had been instructed to inquire into the feelings of South Africa regarding the suggestion that Transvaal and OraDgia’s promised contribution to the cost of the war be diverted to South Africa for the purpose of continuing the work and land settlement in the two colonies, guaranteed by a board under Lord Sslborne’s control. Orangia would reoeive a constitution later.

Mr Churchill added: The Government desires fair representation of a’l classes, and effective expression of the will of the majoriiy.

SUPPOSED SAFETY OF BRITISH

INTERESTS.

I’IvKSS ASSOCIATION—CQI*YK{GHT Recsivod 12.6 a.m., August 2. * London, August 1, la the House of Lords, Lord Elgin, explaining tho Transvaal Constitution, said he would not have been satisfied had he not felt that British interests in their widost sense wore safe under the projected Government.

The Opposition in both Houses declined responsibility for the new Constitution. The Unionists, eipeoially Lord Milner, Lord Lansdowne, and Mr Lyttelton, blamed tho Government for rash precipitation in making promises before they knew the facts.

Liberals claimed they were aotiog after mature inquiry. Government nevertheless admitted that Sir West Ridgway’s report was only sigaed yesterday, and had not yet been considered in its final form.