Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,800 Copies Daily THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1911. THE COLOUR PROBLEM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9609, 7 September 1911, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,800 Copies Daily THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1911. THE COLOUR PROBLEM.

Viscount Gladstone's tour of Rhodesia was undertaken at a rather critical time in the history of Africa, judging by cabled roports of doings in the Union, for it would appear that there was a steadily-growing hostility to the native races on the part of the whites. The Governor-General was said, to have lost prestige by showing clemency to natives convicted of offences against white women, but his reception at Bulawayo proves that the white inhabitants of that important part of the African Union have-looked at a. serious problem in a calm and dignified manner and have shown a truly British appreciation of the situation. Among the problems awaiting solution perhaps Africa's most difficult is this of dealing with the coloured races which inhabit the Union. It is said that in Natal, Capo Colony, the Transvaal and Orangia there are about four million blacks, and if the protectorates are taken into account it will be found that there is a total black population of over thirty millions,

with a white population of less than a million and a quarter. Thousands of Kaffirs and hundreds of other South African tribes have received some education at one or other of the missionary colleges or institutions. Before many years these natives will be asking for the enjoyment of privileges J which the white races possess under; British rule. Year by year these races are becoming more intelligent and en-1 lightened, and in course of time, must assert themselves. Before very long Rhodesia, Northern and Southern Zambesi, and Nyasaland will come within the Union, creating a South Arican Dominion of somewhere about a million and a quarter square miles, or about a third of the total area, of Iho United States. Then, with such a huge disproportion of black and white population the former will begin lo realise their strength, and will demand recognition' of their right to representation. That the position opens up a question of grave significance none who have given the matter the most superficial consideration

will attempt to deny. Boyond doubt, it is an intricate problem that may tax the wisdom and ability of the statesmen of the future to deal with and to adjust. In the face of this passible danger it may be found that the differences now existing between the white inhabitants will sink into comparative insignificance. The blacks are increasing at a greater rate proportionately than the whites in Africa as in the United States, and there is a striking similarity between the problems confronting the Southern States of America and the African Union.