The Dominion. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1907. POSSIBILITIES IN CAPE COLONY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 65, 10 December 1907, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1907. POSSIBILITIES IN CAPE COLONY.

Though Dγ. Jameson, was able to pass liis 'Additional Representation 'Bill, the declared object of which was to place the English, in. power at the Cape for the next generation, his success . at the forthcoming elections is by no means assured. The measure that became law was far less drastic than the i Progressives desired, and of ' late in'nearly all the Cape electorates there have been important alterations. At the elections in 1904, when Dr. Jameson became Premier, the strength of the Dutch vote was reduced by the, compulsory absence from the polls of thousands of voters. Of the Cape rebels many were in prison, and all had been disfranchised. But the period of punishment has now terminated, and the passing of the Amnesty Act has restored, or added, something like ten : thousand names to the electoral rolls of the colony. And every one of those names means an additional vote for the Afrikander Bond. The present Cabinet ar- the Cape, when constituted, was described by Dr. Jameson as "a Ministry of amateurs—himself the greatest amateur." This (description was as modest as it was true. The majority of the portfolios were given to men who were not only new to office, but were also new to Parliament. The Premiei himself had been less than four years a member of the House of Assembly when he was called'upon to. form a Ministry. From the beginning of its career the difficulties of that Ministry ■have, been neither light nor few. Not only had it to contend against inexperience, but it was also faced with an unprecedented commercial depresFresh taxation, retrenchments, deficits, have been the constant and conspicuous features of the Jameson administration. And those are features whose tendency is not to enhance any Government in the esteem of the suffering electors. Considering the smallness of his majorities in the two Houses and the unpleasant duties he and his colleagues have been called upon to perform, it is matter for surprise that Dr. Jameson succeeded in retaining a working majority for three years and, s.even months. And in the end he was defeated, not on a question of policy, but by the aid of what is considered a flaw in the Constitution. Much of Dr. Jameson's popularity and success has undoubtedly been due to his long friendship with Cecil Rhodes, and to his intimate knowledge of the aims and the aspirations of that great statesman. It required an effort on the part of the average Cape colonist to regard the hero of the Raid in the light of a staid and enlightened leader of Parliaments. Mr. Merriman pretends to believe that, before long, Dr. Jameson will weary of the game of politics, and will abandon it to abler and more serious-minded men—to wit, men like Mr. Sauer and himself. This, however, is not the opinion of those who enjoy the confidence of Dr. Jameson. His health for some, years has caused him trouble, but notwithstanding this handicap, his intention is to remain in Parliament;—if possible, in office—until the accomplishment of federation. There are many friends and adherents of his who hope to see him Premier of United South Africa. Dr. Jameson is only fifty-four years of age. He seems to establish tlie truth of the dictum that distinction in one sphere of activity implies distinction in oil. Hβ had won numorou.fl medals and and had graduated with

lngh honours before he had reached his twenty-third year. For a time he was probably the foremost medical authority in South Africa. In his Ivimberley days his practice was worth not less than £6000 per annum. Then the Dutch community was not averse to availing itself of his knowledge and skill. Once the Volksraad of the Orange Free State passed a resolution inviting him to Bloemfontein to attend the President. That was long before the era of the Raid. Perhaps the history of South Africa to-day would have been different had Dr. Jameson continued to await a formal invitation before entering the territories of any Dutch Eepubic. ■ The Premier has frequently made it clear that he entered the public life of the Cape, not through love of politics, but because he believed that in Parliament he could best carry on the unfinished work of Cecil Rhodes. To him, clearly, the ideas and the dreams of the now dead are to-day as potent influences as were the instructions of the master while living. There are, it will be realised, many traits in Dr. Jameson's character, and many circumstances in his career, that strongly impress, and that appeal powerfully to the electors of Cape Colony. Should Dr. Jameson's health break down—a not improbable contingency —the Premiership will go to one of two members of the present Ministry —to Dr. Smartt, the Commissioner of Public Works, or to Mr. E. H. Walton, the Treasurer-General. That is, if the Progressive party is again successful at the polls. Dr. Smartt has been more years iu the House than Mr. Walton, and for that reason his claims may be first to secure attention. Soon after arriving in South Africa from Ireland, he gave up the medical profession for farming on a large scale. He is now principal in what is known as the Smartt Syndicate, a company which owns and cultivates an extensive area in the north-west districts of Cape Colony. The syndicate is noted by reason of its high-class modern systems, and by the extensive use "it.has been able to make of storage water and of irrigation. Dr. Smartt is an enthusiastic farmer. He seems to .be an agriculturist first and a politician and a Minister afterwards. He did splendid service, however, for the Progressives aI , the two previous elections, and was the chief factor in bringing about the downfall of "j;he frequent Premier," Sir Gordon Sprigg. Mr. Walton's parliamentary, and ministerial careers coincide with those of Dr. Jameson. But for many years there has been no keener observer or. closer student of politics in Cape Colony than he , . As proprietor and chief editor of an influential ■ morning newspaper, the " Eastern Province Herald," he was long recognised in the town and district of Port Elizabeth as a talented journalist, as a capable and honest critic of public affairs, and as a man of engaging candour as of the highest principle. The elections for the Lower House will take place early next year, but the election for the House of Assembly this month will indicate fairly well the prospects of the Progressives of returning to office.