SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14143, 19 August 1909, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

THE COLOUR LINE.

•' A WONDERFUL ISSUE.

By Telegraph.—Pr: -3 Association.—Copyright

• \ London, August 17. The second reading of the South Africa Union Bill was carried by the House of Commons without division, and referred to 'a committee of the whole House. ,

Sir Chas. • Dilke • (ex-Foreign .< Secretary) deplored the' erection of a terrible bar against the coloured people, who, but for their descent, would be • eligible for membership of the new Parliament.

Lieut.-Colonel Seely (Under-Secre-tary for the Colonies) warned the House that if the words of European descent" were struck out the Union would be smashed.

Mr.. Alfred Lyttelton (ex-Colonial Secretary) regretted the colour bar, but said that there' was nothing ,to prevent the Union Parliament 1 retracing the step,

, Mr. Balfour remarked that , lie intended to vote for anything the Government said was necessary for the success of the Bill, which was a wonderful issue out of all the .divisions, controversies, battles, • bloodshed, devastation and'horrors of war. He did not believe the world had shown anything like.it in its whole history. (Loud cheers.) : ...,

, Mr. Asquith believed the Union would be the harbinger of a more •enlightened and generous native policy. . Interference from the Motherland was spasmodic and capricious, and perhaps sentimental interference would be the very worst policy in the interests of the natives themselves.- . -

Lieut.-Colonel Seely did not believe the Union Parliament would attempt to interfere with the Cape coloured franchise. If it did the Cape representation was strong enough to prevent the attempt being successful. !