The Next President.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 9

The Next President.

(Cape Times.) When the Rev. S. J. Du Toit was interviewed by the representative of the Pall Mall Gazette, he evidently was speaking to the gallery, which in this, instance waa the credulous British public. Judging by his antecedents, we cannot conceive that it is oithor the desire or conviction of the reverend prophet that, in the short term of two years, Paul Kruger will be placed on the Presidential Chair by an Englishman, with no chanoe for an Africander. Matters have moved and still are advancing with rapid strides in the Transvaal, but the prospects of a revolution so speedy and radical are extremely improbable ; and none should know better than Mr Du Toit the difficulties that stand in the way. To give colour to his assertion, we hardly venture to say his views, Mr Du Toit attributes to the alien, or, to use his own expression, English - speaking population greater numerical strength than to the Dutch. Tais is simply a guess hazarded to suit the occasion, for no census has hitherto been taken iu the Transvaal until that at the end of last mouth, the result of which is still unknown. The opinions of many well, qualified persons who have considered the question do not coincide with those expressed by Mr Du Toit, in regard to the relative numbers of Dutch and aliens, and it is most probable that when the census returns are published the former will be found still to preponderate, more particularly if only the white population be considered. The white aliens have one community of interest in the prosperity of the gold mining industry, but beyond that possess divergent views in matters political. They are largely composed of South African Colonists, Germans and other nationalities far more likely t'o support an educated Africander, as more in touch with and understanding the language and wants of the great mass than any Englishman who would not have these advantages. The Dutch vote would be solid against an Englishman, as it would be considered the first step to loss of that independence so rocontly and dearly won, and that solidity would tell strongly even if numericilly inferior, for a number of votes from the other class conld always be depended upon. But it ie by no means a certain contingenoy that aliens will be so soon admitted to the franchise as to take part in the struggle. Even i£ they be, how many will avail themselves of the privilege ? Every community of voters have a large section who .through sheer apathy neglect to bo registered. Then in becoming a voter in the Transvaal an oath of allegiance to the State, entailing probably severance from citizenship of his ovrn, would fca requisite. This aot again would render the individual liable to burgher duty, and probably to special taxation, and thus many more would be deterred from enrolling themselves on the register. The r««idnej divided in opinion, would be unable

to control the eleotion, and thus the vision oonjured up by the scmswhat fervid imagination of Mr Du Toit is little likely to be fulfilled. The majomy'of x)syr comers in the Transvaal regard themselves merely as birds of passage, desiring only to acquire wealth and oiear out. The greater hnmber, it is 'true, will find it a slower and more difficult process than anticipated, but it will be some time before they fully realise the fact, and take deep interest in the general politics of the country. There is ns burning desire to wipe out the Republican institutions under which they live, bat simply to have extsuded to them a greater and more enlightened recognition of their wants, with a more rapid slid beneficial applicathn of remedial measures than have hitherto obtained,.so. that burdens may be lightened aud the natural expansion and prosperity of the mining industry on which their own welfare aud that of the country depend be not hampered by too many restrictions. The Executive appear to be waking up to the exigencies of the position, and if their desire to accord ameliorating reforms becarriedout, and be not thwarted by the orass ignorance and conservatism of the Volksraad, there is no doubt that a spirit of greater content on the part of the alien population will be insured for a long time without Mr Du Toit’s English-speaking millennium.