TROUBLE IN THE TRANSVAAL

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 161, 10 July 1899, Page 5

TROUBLE IN THE TRANSVAAL

THE DEMAND FOR THE

FRANCHISE

AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE.

AN INCENDIARY MEETING.

Cape files which reached us to-day indicate that, when the steamer left, much disquietude was felt in South Africa at the prospects of war with the I Transvaal. THE BLOEMFONTEIN CONFERENCE. The conference at Bloemfontein between Sir Alfred Milner, British High i Commissioner, and President Kruger | had proved result less, and anxiety was felt as to what the next step would be. The stximbling block at the conference was the franchise question. Sir Alfred Milner, the British High Commissioner, proposed that the full franchise should be given to every i foreigner who, first (a) had been resident for five years in the republic; (b) declared his intention to reside permanently; (c) took an oath to obey the laws, undertake all obligations of citizenship, and defend the independence of the country. The franchise to be confined to persons of good character, possessing a certain amount of property or income. President Kruger replied that this proposal was tantamount to handing over his country to foreigners, to which the High Commissioner demurred, pointing out that he proposed that the representatives of the old burghers would still be in a majority in the Volksraad. The President then

submitted his alternative scheme. This provided that newcomers might obtain naturalisation papers after registering themselves for two years, and, after five years' further registration, could obtain the full franchise. Provision was also made that residents already in the Transvaal should obtain naturalisation, and, as in the case of newcomers, after waiting a further five years, would be granted the franchise. Sir Alfred Milner acknowledged that the proposed scheme was a considerable advance on the existing franchise law, but he felt that as a solution it was quite inadequate to the needs-of the case. He pointed out that no provision had been made for the immediate enfranchisement of old residents, even of 13 years' standing, and that some of the conditions were likely in practice, to deprive of the franchise many of.those whom the scheme professed to benefit. After further discussion, the conference closed without any nearer approach being made to an agreement. OPINION IN NATAL. The "Times of Natal," on June 7, commenting on the resultless conference, says:—"The fact that the Bloemfontein Conference has failed irretrievably perhaps creates a situation of the intensest gravity. Those who know the Boers best expected no other outcome, yet it was thought by the more optimistic that there was some chance of President Kruger being impressed with the immediate necessity of substantial reforms, and also that a favourable issue of the deliberations between him and Sir Alfred Milner was possible. We are not as yet in receipt of the official announcement from Pretoria as to the result of the conference, but that from the Cape leaves us no alternative but to believe that diplomacy has failed, and that if justice is to be obtained at all it will have to be wrung from the Boers with persuasion of a far more effective and violent kind, and during the development of the process, should it become necessary, it may not be out of place to remind the Boers that they will have none of that misplaced sympathy from abroad which has been with them on past occasions. The case of both sides has been published throughout the world, and without exception the claims of the Uitlanders are recognised as just, and in the interests of the peace and welfare of the whole of South Africa, What the details of the conference will reveal, we can pretty well imagine. What we hope to find is some remnant of promise of a compromise. Ik is, we know, hoping against hope, but we indulge it, and pray for its realisation in view of the calamitous struggle which may be impending." BLUSTER AT BURGHERSDORP. A large meeting of Dutch-speaking residents was held at Burghersdorp on June 3 to discuss Transvaal affairs, passing the following resolution unanimously:—"We deeply regret the differences between the Imperial Government and the Transvaal, and think this is largely owing to misleading representations. We are convinced that if no change is made in the policy pursued by the Imperial Government towards the Transyaal it will have a disastrous effect in South Africa and the British Empire. We cannot keep silent when we see the- Imperial Government in danger of taking unrighteous action against the Transvaal."

Professor Cachet, head of the Eeformed Church, was the chief speaker, and said the Transvaal never had time to reform grievances. She was always beset by enemies, and there would be no peace until the Transvaal was made free.

Mr Knight, Mayor of Burghersdorp, the only Englishman present, thought England was wrong, as usual, and had no right to interfere in internal affairs. If there was war, the Transvaal would have the sympathy of every right-minded man. The Itev. Mr Vorster, Keformed minister, said England's threats were the talk of a man with an unloaded gun. She dared not make war in the Transvaal; if she did, she would need 150,000 men. One hundred Transvaalers were a match for 1000 English soldiers.

A Transvaal burgher present now rose and said he prayed God the day would come when all Afrikanderdom would shake off the foreign.yoke. His words were greeted with loud and continued applause.

The meeting throughout was most enthusiastic, and all remarks as to England's folly or weakness were loudly applauded.

The New Zealand Shipping Company advise that about.4so tons of cargo ex s.s. Knight Templar, from New York, arrived here by the s.s. Elingamite yesterday. The" Westralia, which arrived from Sydney last night also brought about 110 tons of cargo ex E.M.s. Miowera from Vancouver.