THE TRANSVAAL'S CONSTITUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12852, 28 April 1905, Page 5

THE TRANSVAAL'S CONSTITUTION.

EXPLANATION BY MR. LYTTELTON. REASON AGAINST RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph Press Association—Copyright. Loxdox, April 26. The Secretary for the Colonies (Mr. Lyttelton), in a letter to the Governor of the Transvaal (Sir Arthur Lawley), with reference to the proposed scheme of Government for the Transvaal, says that Lord Milncr concurs generally in the Government's line of action. The Government believe that the new Constitution will command the adhesion of sensible and prudent men in South Africa and other parts of the Empire, whereas full self-government, implying party government, would present conditions which would mean the government of the Transvaal by one race or the other. Responsible government would become more practicable when the two races had, with equal rights of citizenship, lived and acted somewhat longer together. Bitter memories should be softened by the healing effect of time. The Government expected the co-opera-tion of the Dutch in making their race, no longer in isolated independence, a strong pillar of the fabric of a world-wide Empire. The King ami the Government had a most ardent desire to complete the reconciliation of the two great kindred races.

The Legislative Assembly, Mr. Lyttelton adds, will not initiate taxation. Members will be paid 40s a day for the session, the total payment not to exceed £200 per annum.

The Orange Colony is not included in the scheme.

PRESS OPINIONS, (Received April "7, !).4i p.iu.) Capetown, April '27, The Pretoria News says the new Constitution is practically self-go-vernment, with the necessary Imperial safeguards. The Transvaal Advertiser thinks it is a, liberal Constitution, hut doesnot consider that it will hinder the Responsible Governments Association's agitation. The Volkstexn asks:' ''Who cares twopence for Mr. Lyttelton's opinions on the Transvaal The new Assembly is tied up." The Transvaal Leader considers the Constitution a fair and reasonable compromise between the extreme opinions of the Boers and the Rand. The Daily Mail says a Constitution that is based on the real will of the people ought to satisfy intelligent people. The Rand Star thinks the Constitution admirable, and far more liberal than that given to any colony hitherto endowed with representative government. The Cape Times considers that Mr. Lyttelton has chosen the course least beset with difficulties. The Times expresses warm approval of the constitution given to the Transvaal. It says that under the franchise the voting power of the electors will no longer depend upon the relative increase of population in the districts.