SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13482, 5 July 1907, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA.

PLEA FOR FEDERATION.

LORD SELBORNE'S VIEWS.

NECESSITY FOR CONSOLI- | DATION. ; By Telegraph.— Association.— Copyright. (Received July 4, 10.55 p.m.) Capetown, July 4. Loed Selborxe (High Commissioner! of South Africa), in an exhaustive review of the question of South African federation, describes the historic causes of disunion, and dwells on the evil effects resulting from five disconnected Governments, and the possibilities of dangerous 'conflicts of policy in connection with vital political and economic problems. The High Commissioner refers to the reaping of inordinate railway and other advantages by Delagoa Bay, ruinously affecting the British ports. He suggests the j pressing necessity for consolidation of railways and other British: (interests, in order to terminate this! j difficulty. | Lord Selborne' argues that South j |Africa can only be wisely and successfully governed by a Government! responsible to Parliament, and representing the whole of South I Africa. He urges discussion of the subject within the present year. BOTHA'S OPINION. Capetown, July 4. General Botha, Premier of the Transvaal, while- approving of federation, dissents from Lord Selborne' reference to Delagoa Bay, 1 declaring that the attitude -of the ; Transvaal towards Portugal will be always sincerely friendly.