SOUTH AFRICA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14681, 12 May 1908, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICA.

THE UNIFICATION PROPOSALS United Press Association —By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright. DURBAN, May 11.

Vehement opposition to unification as a form of closer union in South Africa has arisen in Natal, where tho Pretoria Conference is accused of shamelessly attempting to rush tlie question. Tho “Natal Mercury” declares that Natal is able to stand alone and refuses to be coerced.

(Received May 12, 12.5 a.m.) PRETORIA, May IL.

Tho Pretoria conference arranged for a national convention to deal with tho question of union. The convention, will consist of twelve delegates from Cape Colony, eight from tho Transvaal, and five each from Natal and the Orango River Colour. LONDON, May 11.

The Johannesburg correspondent of the “Times” says that tlie conference desires to concentrate all ixywer of deciding the course of events after tho convention in the hands of the Governments, not the Parliaments. A draft of the Civil Service law, issued at Pretoria, empowers the Government to request any official to qualify in Dutch and English within twolve months.