YELLOW PROBLEM. RESTRICTIONS IN THE TRANSVAAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 25, 30 January 1908, Page 7

YELLOW PROBLEM. RESTRICTIONS IN THE TRANSVAAL.

HOME CABINET DEMUES. MODIFICATIONS PROMISED. By Telegraph.- Press Association.— Copyright LONDON, 29th January. A Blue Book which has just been issued &hows that lively misgivings are entertained by Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. John Morley, Secretary of Stato for India, at the possible effect, in India and abroad, of the Asiatic legislation passed by the Transvaal Parliament. General Botha, Premier of tho Transvaal, before the Acts were sanctioned, promised that temporary permits' would be issued to admit distinguished Asiatics by means of signature instead of finger-print. Ho also promised, according to tho Blue Book, to bring in legislation to restrict tho powers of expulsion. The Daily Chronicle remarks that while the self-governing colonies are determined to exclude Asiatics, the Imperial Government — ¦which ever party may be in office — cannot dictate a different policy. But, though the problem is a grave one, alleviation may bo found in Indian immigration, to the Crown colonies of British Africa. INCREASE OF ASIATICS IN NATAL. COMBINED ACTION SUGGESTED. PRETORIA, 29th January. Mr. J. C. Smuts f Colonial Secretary, in a speech at Pretoria, said that owing to the increase in tho number of Asiatics in Natal, it was about time the rest of South Africa took firm action and preferred advice to Natal couched in the strongest terms, otherwise the immigrants would overrun whole of South Africa. The Transvaal Government, he said, was still willing to register Asiatics, if they came forward voluntarily. They would then be legal residents, and would be placed on a proper footing. "OUTRAGEOUS TREATMENT." COLONIAL SECRETARY , DENOUNCED. (Received January 30, 8.44 a.m.) LONDON, 29th January. Mr. Chownaggree, in' a speech at the New Reform Club, iaid the Transvaal's outrageous treatment of Asiatics had alle.ady created a crisis, which would become an Imperial danger if it continued. Lord Elgin's, attempt to shelter behind the plea that it was impossible to interforo with the legislation of an autonomous colony was a flimsy excuse, since self-government ¦\va_s given to enable a colony to deal with its internal affairs, not to tryaanise over other British subjects.