THE CAPE GOVERNOR.

Hastings Standard, Issue 12, 9 May 1896, Page 2

THE CAPE GOVERNOR.

Bra llehctles llouinson, the Governor of the Cape, is another example of the blighting effects of intermingling commerce and politics. Sir Hercules, before his acceptance of the position of High Commissioner of South Africa, •was Cl)airman of tire London Board of the Do Beer's Company, a Director of the Standard Bank of South Africa, and a considerable shareholder in the Chartered Company. He resigned his directorships before proceeding to the Cape, but unfortunately for him lie was powerless to divest himself- of the prejudices and bias born of long association with these commercial undertakings. In hia position as High Commissioner, it is his business in the first place to represent the Imperial Government, and to give proper weight in arriving at important decisions to the interests of the empire as a whole. As Governor of the Cape lie has to consider the interests and rights of British South Africa generally, and to give fair-play to Natal, the Protectorates, and the Native reserves ; and, further, to watch over the Chartered Company and other great commercial companies to prevent them overriding either the interest of the settlers or the Natives. Ilis duties are of the most delicate and intricate nature, requiring sound judgment and tact, but, above all, independence, so that his decisions may be arrived at without partiality and without fear.

We were told by cable the other day that Sir Hercules was called Home, and it was significantly added by the London Standard that he would not return to the Cape. Since the*rash act of Dr Jameson and his men was committed, a flood of light has been cast upon the machinations of the great joint stock concerns with which the Governor of the Cape has been associated ; and, rightly or wrongly, it is felt that his judgment has been warped by the nature of his commercial connections. In accepting the office of High Commissioner, he ran the risk of ending a brilliant career in humiliation, and the odds were against him, for it was impossible for him from the nature of things to view South African affairs except through the spectacles of his great commercial interests. Sir Hercules and his colleague, Mr Cecil Rhodes, both men with emihently satisfactory records, have fallen under the curse of com-pany-mongering.