The New Zealand Herald FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1924. SOUTH AFRICA'S PROBLEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18710, 16 May 1924, Page 8

The New Zealand Herald FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1924. SOUTH AFRICA'S PROBLEMS.

With a general election approaching the Union of South Africa is being treated to such a review of its problems as is commonly the product of electoral campaigns. In some ways complicated so that .an outsider finds them difficult to comprehend, in other ways the questions of the day are exceedingly similar to those faced by citizens of other parts of the Empire. In the contest for votes they naturally receive many different descriptions and furnish the basis for many methods of betterment. South Africa has, first, had to contend with industrial and economic difficulties resembling those which descended on all other countries' after the war. There has been talk of retrenchment to balance the Budget. Some measures of economy have been applied. Those who have felt ■ the effect have naturally resented the process and«visited their feeling upon the Government of the day. Little has been said recently about the railways, but it is not long since reports of deficits, insufficient revenue and high working costs were of a. nature to rouse the sympathy of fellow-felling in New Zealand. Unemployment also has been a grave problem. It is especially serious in the Union, where the virtual monopoly of unskilled labour by the coloured races narrows the avenues of employment open to the white people. Save for the last qualification the problems underlying public questions in debate at election time have a similarity to those with which New Zealand is familiar. Circumstances peculiar to South Africa enter, however, to complicate most of them.

Race lies athwart and influences almost every phase of life. The native population outnumbers the white. The coloured people are prolific and vigorous. Under their own leaders they are-developing increasing political consciousness. With such an element present, there is a temptation always for unscrupulous politicians to exploit native feeling for party purposes". To do justice to public life, it must be admitted that little has been done in this way. During the Rand revolt there was a definite attempt to embroil the natives, but that sinister happening was outside of ordinary politics. Much feeling also exists about the presence and status of Asiatics, especially Indians. Economic causes are at the root of the difficulty. Feeling is most, intense ,in Natal where the Asiatics "substantially outnumber the Europeans. Among the white people there are also racial differences. English-speaking and Dutchspeaking South Africans frequently fail to see eye to eye on public questions. By inheritance each section is tenacious of its views. These differences the politician utilises without the scruples restraining him from making capital out of native or Asiatic feeling. The course last named would be too dangerous for any party. -It is curious sometimes to notice the manner in which the two elements divide on domestic questions. About a year ago, a bill to grant women the franchise went to : the vote' on non-party lilies. It was defeated largely because the Dutch members of the Assembly were opposed to it: The- Dutch South African has little ' sympathy with women's political aspirations and he has a habit of giving emphatic expression to his views. His presence and peculiarities deeply affect the political situation.

Depression and racial feeling do not comprehend the entire circumstances complicating African politics. The relations of the provinces to the Union are a present and pressing problem. When the Constitution was framed, federation was the aim. ,It was not achieved. The present relationship of provinces to the Union, established in its place, was expected to be only temporary. It shows no sign of giving way at present, though it exhibits many anomalies. The trouble is largely that the provinces are expected to provide certain services, for the finances of which they depend largely on the Union Government. It is axiomatic that an elective governing body should, in the main, raise the revenue it is to expend. This the provinces do only in a small degree. The relations between them and the Union often grow strained, financial disputes being frequent. The list of problems shows that in South Africa there is ample troubled water in which politicians may fish. The Government headed by General Smuts is from the South African Party. It contains both English and Dutch. Opposing it are the Nationalists and the Labour Party, at present acting in alliance. The Nationalists find their supporters principally among the Dutch farmers. They profess a Republicanism which varies in intensity according to circumstances. Also they abhor Socialism. The Labour Party repudiates Republicanism of the South African brand. It is decidedly Socialistic in its leanings. The pact between the two is illdefined, but it is generally interpreted as meaning that the Nationalists will restrain their secession tendencies, while the Labour | Party, in deference to the back-veldt farmers among the Nationalists, will modify their land taxation proposals. It seems an ill-assorted union, but it has one motive force in common, dislike of General Smuts and his party. These are the lines on which the election is being fought:'; these are the parties; by which the whole field of politics is being ; explored in the ! present, contest. ' .' ' ' '* ,