THE TRANSVAAL MINISTRY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9303, 20 March 1907, Page 6

THE TRANSVAAL MINISTRY.

power of a highly cultivated memory 1 and the real strength to be developed in a mind of strong natural endowment. Mozart "set down the whole of the Sistine Miserere from memory," and Gizsfcave Dots painted portraits from memory and retention. Probably the keynote to the growth of memory and its normal use is in a wideawake it-terest in things and never allowing one's powers to become alack. Keeping awake to those things as they really are is not so common a characteristic as one might suppose. Our hobbies and fads, together with the routine of living, comI<cse life for many of us. This narrow, self-centred existence accounts for morbidness, misery, and oft-times insanity, while memory broadens and opens up life to the extent of knowledge and interest in all the world contains. Cur contact with life in a,H its phases is before us as an open book. The experience that teaches becomes of permanent value. Dwelling upon facts and growing with what we have known, observed and done, and learned is real mental progress.

Mr G. Hutchison, ex-M.H.R. for Patea, who returned from South Africa about a year ago, after spending a few years in that country, has given, a New Zealand Herald representative Jus impressions of the Transvaal Ministry, as forecasted in the cablegrams . "As one having some knowledge of the men named I may say that they will form a distinctly Boer Ministry. Louis Botha, the Premier, is a man of moderate views and one who is respected by all classes in tbe Transvaal. i/r Smuts, the other leader (whom I take to be Mr J. C. Smuts, a well-known advocate) is also a strong man. Still it must be borne in mind that they are both staunch Boers. Assuming Mt Hull to be a Het Yolk supporter, Mr Culliman is the only Nationalist who has been mentioned as a Minister. Of course, there may be some alterations in the list, but it is not likely that there will be any matterial changes. It will be a Het Yolk Ministry — there is no doubt of that."

Upon memory hinges all that we know, think, imagine, or understand; it is undoubtedly the most valuable attribute of the mind. Animals possess it in a certafin degreo. and children develop through it. Agie lives upon it. There are always a few things in life tlhat wsi might like to forget, but the things which we remember constitute, stftor all, just what wo are, and contain all that we have been.

"What is your opinion of the outlook?"

T 'The experiment t!hat the British Government nas committed' itself to in granting the present oonsiniution is a risky one. How long the present entente cordiale between England and, the Boers will continue will depend' upon the moderation of the new Ministry. I do not think that the Government will neglect to advance by every legitimate means, a movement for the restoration of a republic."

"In what form do you suppose this movement will first manifest itself?"

"Well, I think that in a few yearns line Boer party wall ask for the power of appointing their own Governor. Tbe members of the present nominate Chamber, who 'have been appointed by the Governor, acting on' behalf of the Imperial Government, will hold office for .five years. At the end' of that period the Boera, assuming that they remain, in their' present majority, will probably seek to be permitted to appoint the members of the nominative Chamber, or to have the appointment of the Governor in their own hands. They aie on top, and no doubt they will make use of all the official machinery available to secure their ends. During the next five yearns, it is not likely that any particularly aggressive action will be taken, but the piresent position is quite, if I may use the term, 'anti-1899.' Even now ifc is practically the same as it was before the war, andl at the end of five years it may become actually the same." Questioned as to the probable attitude of the new Government in regard to the Chinese labor question, Mr Hutchison said he thought it would go in for the gradual repatriation of the Chinese now engaged in the mines. In this it would no doubt have the co-operation of, the Nationalist and Labor parties. "Probably," he Bead, "Het Yolk -will .go in for repatriation at *he cad of the three years' term. The supply of K]afßx labor is insufficient, and the capitalists, as you know, have threatened to shut down the mines rather than employ white labor." "Would not the mines pay if worked with white labor?"

•'I think they would. The dividends are apparently large enough, but the capitalists are averse to the employment of white labor, not only on, the ground of extra expanse, but also on account of the possibilities of the engagement of white men" assisting in the up of a strong Labor party, who would legislate against their interests." "Do yon think the threat to close down the mimes would be carried out?"

"I tlhink not. The party now in power has declared ■fchat if the mines are shut down itihe Government will woxk them on behalf of the State. This declaration, coupled with the fact tlhat a large number of mines would be profitably worked with ■white labor, should be sufficient to prevent such a -threat being earned into effect."