THE EVER RECURRING TRANSVAAL QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 87, 14 April 1899, Page 4

THE EVER RECURRING TRANSVAAL QUESTION.

There would appear to be some chance of a settlement in the near future of the unremittingly unsatisfactory state of affairs which has existed in the Transvaal ever since the introduction of foreign capital to develop the country's mineral wealth. The narrow, prejudiced, egoistic attitude assumed by the Boers towards those who, coming in the wake of the gold discoveries, have been largely responsible for the prosperity that the Transvaal, enjoys cannot indefinitely continue. That a big percentage of the country's population, comprised of foreigners, should have no political rights, and be forced to exist under laws of a most oppressive character, administered ignorantly, and frequently in a biassed manner, has been an anomalous position, the most remarkable feature about which is that it has been maintained so long. It is the more remarkable in view of the fact that the clause in the agreement propounded by the London Convention of 1884 providing that the State should conclude no treaty or engagement with any State or nation (except the Orange Free State), nor even with any native tribe, . without the Queen's consent, in itself constitutes a sufficient, acknowledgment of the suzerainty of Great Britain over the Transvaal. President Kruger's vapourings about the independence of the country have invariably been met by Colonial Office assertions that Britain claims the suzerainty and is prepared, should it ever be regarded as expedient, to enforce it.

The cable announcement last week that Sir Alfred Milner has forwarded the memorial .of the Outlanders to the Queen asking- for the redress of their grievances is in its way an amusing corollary to a recent remark of President Kruger's that the Rand was perfectly satisfied. This petition, signed by 21,000 Britishers—the population of the Transvaal is only 250, 000 —avers that the position is worse now than even at the time of the unfortunate Jameson raid. The comment of the 'Times,' that important consequences will ensue, and that itis impossible for the Imperial Government to ignore the grievances of the petitioners, will be very largely endorsed. Other factors, not the least important of which arfr the defiances and warnings exchanged between President. Kruger and the head of the Colonial Office (Mr Chamberlain) suggest that, matters are so shaping- that it will be impossible to obviate an early decision on the question.

When this comes it is safe to predict that it will mean the enforcement of much more sweeping reforms than those grudgingly outlined by the Transvaal President recently. The concession that Kruger stated would be made was that aliens would be allowed, after nine years' i-€jsidenee, to vote for the First Raad, which, as representative of the Boer spirit, is by far the more important of the two legislative chambers. The voting- for President —the position is practically a dictatorship—would not be open, however, to the foreigner, even after he had for nine years stood the oppression of a crassly ignorant, classlegislating- and bigoted administration. Germany, as a factor in the settling- with the Transvaal and its President, which is rapidly approaching-, has been eliminated, for _ Germany, awakened to a comprehension of her isolation ia Europe, has established friendly relations with Great Britain,which 'she is not likely to jeopardise, by backing- the Boers.

So opinionated are the Boers, however, that'it is questionable whether, should the British Government insistent.] v demand reform, a war will not be. the outcome. Hedged in by a mental vision that extends but little beyond their own horizon, and assuming Majuba Hill as a correct thesis for argument, a majority of the Boers would enter on such a struggle with confident anticipations of its successful issue. There is a more intelligent minority, like Kruger, who must know how hopeless the case of the Transvaal would be in a war with England; and the voice of these when time of extremity arrived would presumably be raised in favour of granting any concessions demanded were a European complication not a probable outcome of Great Britain undertaking to bring the Transvaal to reason by force of arms. Now that the graver features of a probable European war arising out of a policy of necessary coercion has almost disappeared, Britain may be expected to bring pressure- to bear for the purpose of securing an immediate enlargement of the liberties of Europeans. That, as a result of such ac-

lion, another 'little war' would bepreeipitated upon the nation is still a contingency, though a remote one.

The departure of s.s Kanieri for Wa'itara. has been postponed till 10 a.m. to-morrow (Saturday).

The Auckland Gas Company, LtcL, notify by advertisement that tha price of gas coke has been reduced, to 20/ per ton at the gaz works, thus making it the cheapest as well a 3 the cleanest fuel in the marlist,—(Ail.)