FRENCH INTERVIEW WITH BOTHA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13456, 5 June 1907, Page 9

FRENCH INTERVIEW WITH BOTHA.

[The Paris Matin publishes an account of an interview which its London correspondent lias had with General Botha, who, after ' declaring that self-government had been received with joy by the Boers, is represented as having said:— :■-.., "■';'■''

This proof of confidence in my country is a good augury for the future of the Transvaal. The Council of Ministers over Which I liave the great honour to preside will carefully consider the claims of the different sections of the population, and we will do everything we can do to satisfy everybody as speedily as possible." ' Continuing, General Botha emphatically denied the statements that he was personally inclined to favour the Boers at the expense of the British, and in this connection lie expressed himself as follows: — "This is a ' disgraceful and unfounded insinuation. Even supposing that I intended to - favour the Boers I do not see how I could do so, but no such thought has ever entered my head. I can assure you that my" Government will treat Briton and Boer on an equal footing. "If I nearly always speak in Dutch it is because I can only converse with difficulty in English. It would therefore be very wrong to suspect me for this reason. In spite of the unfounded and dangerous insinuations that' have been made, my colleagues and I will give proof of our sincere attachment to the Mother Country, and all my efforts as Prime Minister will be directed towards this end. : .""■..

' "I appreciate too fully the cordial .reception accorded to me in London to do otherwise. The hearty welcome of the British people has profoundly touched me, and I will take away with me an imperishable souvenir of my visit to England." General Botha refused to make misstatement with regard to Chinese labour.