THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1922. FUTURE OF RHODESIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18158, 2 August 1922, Page 6

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1922. FUTURE OF RHODESIA.

Proposals for the incorporation of Southern Rhodesia ae a fifth State in the Union of South Africa have been given definite shape. Together with the draft Constitution for the establishment of the territory as a separate self-governing dominion, they will be submitted to the European settlers by referendum; thus its future is to be settled by the votes of the pioneers, who, under the auspices of the Chartered Company, have transformed the savage home of a savage people into a prosperous, peaceful and, for its present stage or development, a civilised land. Whichever the alternative, this great section of the African continent is now to cease to be the territory of a company and to become incorporated in the Commonwealth of free nations known as the British Empire. The dreams of Cecil Rhodes and of Leander Starr Jameson are to be realised, when both these men of strong initiative, of deep, tempestuous energy, lie buried in the land with which their names are no intimately associated. Both were pioneers of the type whom early New Zealand knew, men who extended the Empire ahead of, and in some measure against the wishes of, Britain herself. They moved faster than the official mind could follow. Concessions were obtained from native chiefs, arrangements for the settlement of land and the working of mines were made, and then the consent of the Crown gained and a charter granted. Clashes with the natives followed, their armed risings were repressed, and under the rule of the company native and European lived peacefully side by side. As growth continued, it became more certain that company administration would some day have to cease. The main problem to be solved in changing to a new status was that of finance.

Though the British South Africa Company was formed as a commercial venture, it was never a commercial success. The expenses of administration swallowed up the proceeds of land sales and the income from mining concessions and other sources of revenue. The company hadl a serious debt on its hands, legacies from the two Matahel.o wars. The question then entered, whether, in the event of devolution, the independent Government wou'd have to accept these liabilities. The company also claimed ownership of all unalienated land in the territories of Lobengula, the last of the great Matabele chiefs. On that claim it could present a case for full compensation on relinquishing its charter rights. To buy all the land from the company, as well as to assume its liabilities, would load a new Government far too heavily to leave it with a chance of successful administration. The land question was referred to the Privy Council, which just four years ago gave judgment against the company. It decided that when, in 1893, the first Matabele war ended with the death of Lobengula, all his lands vested in the Crown by right of conquest. The company, ao long as its charter remained in foresi, was entitled to alienate the land, to apply the proceeds to meet the cost of administration, and to distribute any surplus among its shareholders. On cancellation of the charter unalienated lands reverted to the Crown, while the company was entitled to compensation for administrative deficits. This decision cleared the way for the establishment of responsible government. The Free State of Rhodesia would have an endowment of Crown lands as a set-off against liabilities. The mining concessions were declared the absolute property of the company. The next issue was what form of government should be adopted, whether Rhodesia would declare for independence or for federation with the Union of South Africa. A delegation last year negotiated with the Colonial Secretary for a draft Constitution as an independent State; both the company and the European settlers have this year discussed with the Union Government the question of federation. Both issues are to be submitted to the people of Rhodesia, when the points for and against must meet the test of public opinion.

Finance is the factor which seems likely to make federation the more attractive. The obligations which the company will leave behind on relinquishing control are considerable, while its assets are valuable enough to make the purchase price formidable to a Government entering upon administrative work to' which it is new. This is the more telJing ii that development of the country still calls for large expenditure. The financial proposals of South Africa appear to be of a nature sufficiently generous to make union attractive. One of the strongest objections to fusion has been the two-language standard prevailing in the LTnion. The Europeans settled in Rhodesia are predominatingly of British stock. There has been but little infiltration of Dutch from further south. Hence the prospect of Taal being made a second language for official purposes is not welcomed. Whether the advantages offered are sufficiently alluring to outweigh that objection there is mo indication. The stipulation that no recruiting of native labour ig to be allowed is of importance. The European settlers have been at pains to encourage industry and agriculture among the coloured people along strictly lines. They have disoouraged the men j from gravitating toward the towns, to join the ranks of casual labourers, to lo3e many of their primitive virtues and to acquire habits of doubtful value. It is natural, therefore, that they should attach weight to safeguarding the natives from recruitment, for labour elsewhere. The summarised account of the terms

contains no reference to irrigation. Schemes of some moment have been undertaken by the company, with good results. It may be assumed perhaps that further developments in this direction are assured, just as, with the Victoria Falls in the territory, hydro-electric schemes may be expected to come to the fore. Whatever the balance of desirability between the Union or a separate existence, the main interest of the situation fco the remainder of the Empire is that a new self-governing State is in process of birth. The sentiment of it is strongly British, so that the arrival of representatives in the Uaion Parliament will, it is confidently asserted, strengthen the hands of those who oppose the separatist element. By the inexorable process of time the establishment of a new State with British ideals and British conceptions of liberty and responsible government is at hand.