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The Dominion FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1908. THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Dr. . Jameson, Premier,. lias, been more discreet, much less determined to fight aginst heavy odds, - than Dr. Jameson, leader of the Raid. When the Cape's Upper House by the defection of a Government supporter declined to pass a Supply Bill, Dr. Jameson promptly announced, his intention of appealing to the country to support him in so amending the constitution as .would in the future prevent .the Council from blocking Supply. .Parliament was dissolved and both parties — the Progressives, or Unionists, and the South African, or Bond party—made preparations for what both believed would be a stirring and a decisive campaign.: But the Amnesty Bill, which' re-enfranchised, or' permitted to be enfranchised, something like 10,000 rebels, had previously sealed the doom of_ the Jameson Ministry., The Premier, during his four years' tenure of office, has been, he explained, endeavouring, by all available means, to allay racialism, and, secure the goodwill of the Dutch-speaking members of the community. It would seem, lie had convinced himself, that his efforts in that direction had been more successful than they have since proved themselves, to be. Under the Cape Constitution, a general election for the Legislative Assembly may not take place within six months of the dissolution of Parliament. This provision is, however,' not applicable to the Upper House, the elections for which commenced in January and concluded at the end df February; . The results, obviously, were scarcely expected by the Cape Ministers. .Had they been, Dr. Jameson, according to his own statements, would probably have resigned' at an even earlier date than he did. Withthe exception of the Western Circle, in which are Capetown and its many .suburbs, the Bond was everywhere triumphant,, and with great and sweeping majorities. Even in the South Eastern Circle, wherein liyethe descendants of many hundreds of English and Scottish pioneer settlers, and are situated thß essentially English tajEjm a£ Grahamßtown and Port' Eliza-

beth, the Dutch party had a majority of more than 2000 votes. Something 1 very like an ignominious rout was the J fate of Dr. ; Jameson's candidates , elsewhere. In fact, exactly /two votes were given to Bond candidates for every one cast for the TTuioiiists. The Gape papers estimate that, in .addition to tho enfranchised rebels) not fewer than 15,000 new adherents must have voted on behalf of the , ; Bond. Figures such as these aroused Dr. Jameson and his Ministry to a sense of the real situation, and the resignations immediately followed. In adopting this course Dr. Jameson seems/to have ; acted wisely. All hopes of success in the Lower House elections were banished by the decisions of the' Circles, • the electors' in which, divided into other and smaller constituencies, also vote Jor the members of the legislative Assembly; ,In a letter to th'e electors of Grahamstown—which electorate he represents—Dr.' Jameson stated that once the reply of the people fas clearly given in favour of the party responsible for the Supply-blocking tactics in the last session of the Legislative Council, his Government had but ope straight and honourable course before it. He attached the utmost importance to the forthcoming Inter-Colonial which is to discuss the future administration of the- railways, .'arrange, ifpossible, another Customs Union, and consider schemes for uniting the South African colonies-and territories. ~ -If I these' great questions were to be entrusted to the South African party it was eminently desirable,[he thought, that the leader of that party should assume responsibility without delay. He should have time to 'gather knowledge on the subjects and formulate a policy which might be laid before, and be debated by, Parliament. Now that he has retired from the Premiership, the Dutch newspapers have displayed a. surprising cordiality towards Dr. Jameson. .The Bloemfon-. tein " Friend," the principal organ of De Unie, has, for example, paid ;'a generous tribute;to the ex-Premier. '' Dr. Jameson," it, remarked / "though incurring now political .defeat,: has his own achievement to point to. ■ It must be admitted that .lie. has laboured,-with amazing success to mitigate racial feeling . The Africander people of Cape Colony lias to-day, a feeling of personal liking and respect for the leader of the Raid. A better augury there could not be for the final reconciliation of the two races.' Only we wish it had been purchased cheaper, than by the muddle which the Doctor's colleagues have made in their several departments."' Expressions of opinion such 'as this •seem to suggest that if. Dr. Jameson did much to efface racialism during his Premiership, lie did a great deal' more to secure' that desirable/erid by the simple! act of resigning.-, A Bond Ministry established at Capetown, and the Unionists taking the. place long occupied by ; the Dutch' members',: should put the latter in the best of humour | and enable them. to display not only their abetter, nature but 'also such political qualities wherewith they are 'en-; do wed. Since tho war the Cape Dutch have been ill at ease and discontented; they seemed to' consider. • themselves •under some, form of: thraldom owing to !the dominance of their rivals; ■ A Bond Government appears to' have - been: inevitable, and must be. acquiesced in by even the most- ardent and determined of Progressives.'•. ' ■■ ■ • What will probably most attract the attention' of-the public outside of Cape Colony is the apparent prospect of peace and harrnony prevailing.now, and for a- long time to come, throughout South Africa. With the Dutch in the three principal colonies safely, in office, and on them placed the responsibilities of. power,' there'should be an fend to the the jealousies and the suspicions which not infrequently were exhibited against Ministers and officials, for,'the reason that, they were British,; and happened for .a time to hold the chief reins of authority, Mr. Merrima'n, the hew Preriiier of Cape Colony, is an Englishman—the son of the la,te Bishop of Grahamstown—and one of tlie most intellectual ,of the many conspicugusly able_ men who have engaged, in _ South African politics. . He has twice held Ministerial rank as Commissioner, of Crown' and twice as Treasurer-General., . Though his earliest 1 Cabinet appointment was in the first _ responsible Ministry at the Cape, this is the first occasion he has been Premier. With one exception the members lie has invited his Ministry bear, well-known Dutch names, and, all .belong to the Africander Bond. Mr. .Merriman has a personal preference for the unification of South Africa, and, therefore, , is -in agreement on that: subject with the Prime. Minister of the Transvaal. But the most welcome outcome of the change of Government; at the Cape is the promise which it appears to hold out that greater political harmony will now reign throughout South Africa. , . ".

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Bibliographic details

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 186, 1 May 1908, Page 6

Word Count
1,110

The Dominion FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1908. THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA. Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 186, 1 May 1908, Page 6

The Dominion FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1908. THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA. Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 186, 1 May 1908, Page 6

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