UNITED SOUTH AFRICA.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1910, Page 6

UNITED SOUTH AFRICA.

TELEGRAMS.

MB. BOTHA TO BE PREMIER, FORMATION OF A MINISTRY. t’j/iioiaiaoo —xoxxvioossv ssaiw aaa] LORD GLADSTONE’S ADVICE. LET RACIALISM DISAPPEAR. Received this day at 8.30 a,in. Lord Gladstone/ in addressing a meeting at Capetown, recommended the blending and not obliterating, of characteristic racial optitudes and capacities, thus giving the nation brilliancy and strength. He added that for the noble consummation of the Union, equal credit and honor were due to all parties. CAPETOWN, May 1. Ex-General Botha has formally agreed to form the first Cabinet under the South African Union. LONDON, May 21. The Chronicle’s Johannesburg correspondent says that the Cabinet will include Mr Merriman, Treasurer; Mr Fisher, Education ; Mr Smuts, Colonial Secretary and Mr Hertzog, Attor-ney-General.

FOE, HERO, FRIEND, PREMIER. ‘■THESE ENGLISH STAGGER HUMANITY.” “Botha Premier! These English do “ stagger humanity!” Such, as imagined by “Punch,” was the comment of Kruger’s shade when his old lieutenant was appointed Prouder of the Trans”aal. What would the old President have said if ho knew that Mr Bulba had become the first Prime Minister of United f South Africa ? Recent developments have pointed to Mr Botha as the man on whom Viscount Glads*one’s choice is most likely to fall. The situation is most curious and critical. On June Ist. the Union comes into being, and by that date a Cabinet must be formed. The party divisions are difficult for the outsider to understand. Neither Britons, Boers, ror BritishSouth Africans seem to be a 'united family. A recent winter puts the problem succinctly when he asks: "Are “we to have the old parties, which, “under a thin disguise and despite a “few exceptions, really mean British "versus Dutch? Or will there be a "Young South Africa Party formed of "the progressive leaders of both races, “prepared to do battle with the Dono! hi ng-ism of the Horn levers and "the Hortzogs of the four colonies?’ Will the division ultimately lie between coast and interior or high protection and low protection, or agriculture and mining, or white labour and coloured labour? The ideal Ministry would be a coalition of the best, elements in both races, representing all the colonies. The country now has a clean slate, and it would be an infinite pity if the old battle-cries were inscribed on it. Among the best elements in South Africa there has been u. strong feeling that a non-party Government should lake command of the country during the first stage of its new life, for the replacement of the old machinery by the new will be a long and dilhcnlt business. With this end in view, Dr Jameson, the Progressive leader, and Mr Botha, talked over the prospects of a coalition, Dr. .Jameson b.-ing prepared to assist in the formation of a “Government of the best men,’’ and to give it his support. But just when negotiations for a coalition seemed likely to bear bruit, Mi Merriman, the Capo Premier, poured scorn on the idea, and declared that j ho Union Government must he conducted on the old party lines. This almost killed the peace movement, but latterly it has revived, and a /ew days ago the London "Daily Chronicle predicted that the Ministry would be composed of various elements, including Mr Botha and Dr Jameson. Mr Botha, is, therefore, the man who commands most support, and on the use of his opportunities may depend the future welfare of his country. Unfortunately he has not yet showed himself complete master of his party. His own inclinations are for burying the hatchet aid adopting a progressive noil-racial policy, but the conservative Dutch, who keep to the old racial lines, may be 100 strong for him.