A ROYAL GIFT. THE CULLINAN DIAMOND.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 78, 28 September 1907, Page 11

A ROYAL GIFT.

THE CULLINAN DIAMOND.

FROM THE TRANSVAAL TO THE KING. GENERAL BOTHA'S SPEECH. Towards the end of last month tho cables told us that tho Transvaal Legislative Assembly had decided by 42 votes to 19 to present the Cullinan diamond to King Edward. It was indicated that the Opposition had opposed the pz-oposal. Papers to hand by the Ruapehu contain reports of the speeches which make interesting reading. General Botha, the Premier, moved — That tho Government be authorised to take the necessary steps to acquiro al' rights to what is known as tho "Cullinan diamond," found some time ago at the Premier Diamond Mine, and to present the same on behalf of the people, of the Trans- • vaal to His Most Gracious Majesty King Edward VII., his heirs and .successors, as an expression of the feeling of loyalty and attachment which the people oi the Transvaal entertain towards His Majesty's person and throne, the stone m-question being by far the most valuable of its kind ever discovered in tho history of tho world, and therefere preeminently fit to form the brightest jewel in His Majesty's crown. In doing so ne said that hon. members would remember that' it was three years ago that this diamond was discoverod in the Premier Mine. It was the most valuable stono in the history of the world, a stone of most perfect qual ity. The Government's share of it was 60 per cent., and the company's 40 per cent. The company was prepared to dispose of the stone, but the value of the stone* was of a peculiar nature, and in all probability it would remain in their possession for a good many yoars with-, out being sold unless a special offer was made for it. To turn the stone into monetary value, steps would have t> be taken to have it cut, and if it was cut up it would lose its value considerably. The Government was the greatest owner of the stone, and it would be a great pity to have the stone cut up. The stone had certain peculiarities which would .be spoiled if cut up. The only way open for the stone to retain its peculiarities was by placing it in the Crown of the British Empire, and it would be useful in this manner for national purposes. They had agreed that.., the stone should be a gift to the King of England to become the most brilliant jewel in his crown, and for that reason the motion was on the paper. He hoped it would be a unanimous decision, an expression of the loyalty and the affection which the people of the Transvaal entertained to the person and throne of King Edward. He would like to make it clear that this was not a matter of £ s. d. They must look upon it in a higher light. Criticism had been, levelled as regards the financial responsibility in this matter, and he wished • to say this, that this criticism was wrong. The stone was large and valuable, and was locked up in England, and cost the Government money to keep it. No individual purchaser epuld be found for it. The Government had 'negotiated with the company and had tried, to come to^ an agreement to see, whit was wanted" for the .company's share.*' The Government had been met by -the- directors in the most enthusiastic and patriotic manner, which could bo conceived. They had, notified that they did not require the full value, and were willing to assist the Government to retain the stone for national purposes, and they would therefore expect a nominal sum for it. They had agreed that no qiio would- , suffer financially, and the poor- would, not be called upon to pay one penny. . For ;tho first year tho company would not ask for anything, an3' after that they would lake four payments over four years. The money would come out of the profits owing from the mine to the Government and not out of the Treasury, and the financial status would therefore not be affected. After all -the trouble of the past the white people were united, and it was their duty to make .this gift to the King of England. , Tliare was a great many important matters in which both races were concerned. It was their duty not to work for their own 'pdekets or their own interest, but their objecc should be to keep in view "the people's higher ideals. It might' bo argued that it wus a valuable gift to tho Throne. Fqr certain purposes, he admitted that it was so, and that the purpose was that the tie of friendship between the Transvaal and England should bo strengthened to a degree higher ,thah that of any other time. Opposition members opposed the motion on the .ground that the country at the moment was by no means in a position to afford the gift. > GENERAL DE LA EEY. General De-la Rey said that this was one of the weightiest subjects they had had before them. He was not going to proclaim his loyalty. They did noo want loyalty to fill their pockets, and the point was', were they going to study the interests of South Africa? The diamond was lying in London, and keeping it there cost a lot of money. They did not want to show their loyalty when they had plenty of money. They wanted to show it to-day — (applause)—and he was prepared to vote for tho motion. For tho last four years he had seen how the country had gone backwards, but in spite bf this fact their loyally stood supreme. (Applause.) As above stated, the Premier's motion was carried by a majority of more than two to one. THE NEWS IN ENGLAND. During tho debate in the Imperial Parliament on the Transvaal loan, Mr. Churchill concluded M-ith a reference to the Cullinan diamond gift, saying nothing was more calculated to raise the prestige of British statecraft throughout the world. It was a wonderful event. It had nothing to do with the loan, but a great deal to do with the relations between Britons and Boers, and would be remembered a ceutury hence. At a later stage, Mr. Bonar Law pointed out what ho called the stage management of the Cullinan diamond offer, which had been announced on the eve of the debate. This stage management, he alleged, was due to Mr. Churchill. Mr. Churchill roec up immediately, and vigorously donied Mr. Bonar Law's assertion. He proceeded to attack Mr. Bonar Law for his "gross insinuations." and added . "We should not be too ready to sneer and snarl at all the Transvaal's works. When wo think of thai bravo country ruined by the >»ar and deprived of racial "independence, we have not much to plume ourselves upon in the favours we have granted. It is an enormous benefit to have a great and valiant race included in the Empire." He protested in tho strongest manner against insults by men who were professedly patriotic Englishmen. With reference to the Cullinan diamond allusion, Tho Times says "the proposal under existing circumstances elicits the sympathy of all sensible men for his Majesty. It is always unpleasant to have to decline a gift. It is equally unpleasant to accept when you know Lbat, tka o'^xmv i\u iwnl, *m«. Jji» Kill*,".

DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAMOND. The big diamond, which is the largest in the world, was found by Mr. Fred. Welle, an old Kimberley digger, at 5.3U on the evening of Thursday. 26th January, 1905. The Jagersfontcin 6tone, which weighs 967 carats Uad, up to the timo of Mr. Wells's find, held tho record ; the next largest beiuc the historic Koh-i-noor, which originally weighed' 793g carats. Four days after tho CulUuan stone was found it was exhibited to the public in tho manager's private room at the Standard Bank, Johannesburg, and the following description ap-penri-d in The Star of 30th January :— '"The diamond, which, according to Dr. Molengraaff. has come from a great depth in the pipe, weighs ljjlb, and is about 4byQby 1£ inches. It has four cleavage planes, which proves thnt other _ pieces of this stone are in the mine, or have already been found. It has two natural ■ planes". The stone is white, and mseinbles a lump of ice. It is of excellent quality, has fe\r spots, and is of great value. The spots which do exiit.iu the diamond aro small compared with those observable in, the Jngersfontein stone, which is now deposed from ' its proud position as the record diamond." The value of the stone has been variously computed, but the fact is that tho real value of the stone as a' whole can hcarcely be estimated at all." , •