SOUTH AFRICA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 61, 13 March 1907, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA.

SPEECH BY MR BOTBA.

BOER GRATITUDE TO BRITAIN

THE " UNITED SOUTH AFRICA "

DREAM

[PBESS ASSOCIATION.] (Received March 12, 10.49 p.m.)

PRETORIA, March 12

Mr Botha, Premier of the Transvaai, speaking at a banquet in Pretoria, said that the Boers were so deeply grateful to the King and the British Government and people for generously granting them * free Constitution that British interests would be absolutely safe in their Viands. They would be zealous for tfee honour of the flag.

Mr Botha declared that h© would try to create a united South .Africa by all the me*ns in his power. He would help the" mines, while resisting the attempts of powerful corporations to prevent projecting in the country . The Boers did not intend to reduce the natives to a servile state, but to encourage them to become useful and contented workers.

Mr -Botha added that he intended to attend the Colonial Conference.