SOUTH AFRICA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2417, 4 February 1909, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA.

TENSION IN THE CONVENTION. THE CAPITAL QUESTION. United Pkess Association. Copyright DURBAN, Feb. 2. Ihe tension in the South African Convention continues. Several delegates threaten to leave. Neither tho Transvaal nor the Cape is prepared to give way. The main chance of a successful conclusion seems a compromise by Capetown becoming the legislative capital, with the Federal Parliament,, and Pretoria- the administrative capital, with the Civil Service, and Bloemfontein the headquarters of the Judiciary.

COMPLETE AGREEMENT REACHED.

UNION POSSIBLE NEXT YEAR

(Received Feb. 3, 6.30 pun.) Feb. 3. The Convention has reached complete. agreement and rises to-mor-row. Though not official, the news is confirmed that Capetown is to be the seat of the Legislature and Pretoria of the Administration. The draft constitution was completed a fortnight ago, save the preamble and site of the capital. After a week Natal and Qrangia. were persuaded that' they had no claim, and left the decision in the hands of their colleagues of the Transvaal and Cape Colony. All compromises, including suggestion of a neutral site were rejected, and the delegates were physically and mentally wearied by the interminable apparently futile discussion on the crisis yesterday evening. The delegates now propose to address meetings in the respective centres to expound the constitution, which will be submitted simultaneously at special sessions of the various Parliaments at the end of March. Afterwards the Convention will assemble again to consider amendments. Assuming that there arc no insurmountable obstacles and that the Imperial Parliament will pass an Act, upon the petition of the South African Parliaments, it is possible that union, may be accomplished next year.