THE GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COLONY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1617, 25 February 1903, Page 55

THE GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COLONY.

To tho Editor of tho “Now Zealand Mail.” Sir—-Tho London papers of to-day contain tho following cablegram from South Africa, the pathos of which is to myself, and I believe to most people, simply indescribable. It runs as follows: “Piequotberg, December 29th.—The Rev. Mr Vlok lias preached his farewell sermon here. He said ho had been hounded out of the congregation for tho awful sin cf being loyal.” During Christmas week, a minister of tho Dutch Reformed Church is 'hounded out” of his congregation for preaching tho Gospel of Peace and Goodwill! While, sir. it Is impossible to- express one’s feelings upon, a perusal of this cablegram, it is appalling to reflect that this case is one cf many, as we knew on good authority, and that apparently tho Afrikander Rond has hardened its heart and has no intention of taking the hint thrown out to it by Mr C hamheriain on the ovo.cf his departure. It is obvious that tho words of warning uttered by the Colonial Secretary have fallen upon deaf ears. I had the privilege cf putting a question to Mr Chamberlain in tho House of Commons on November 24th, the day before ho left, and I asked him

“In it the case that many Loyalists at the Cape are being subjected to persecution, wbilo rebels are being compensated by funds derived from this countryr” Mr Chamberlain in his reply reluctantly admitted the ‘pwrsecul ion,'’ expressed a hope that. better feeling would prevail, and, in conclusion, stated that “His Majesty’s Government has informed the Capo Government that it wiif into permit any money derived from Imperial sources or front tho resources of tiio Transvaal to be employed in tho compensation of rebels under any circumstances.'’’ In the interval that has elapsed since tho publication or this statement, on the 25th November, it might 'have been possible for the powers-that-bo to have brought about the reinstatement of Mr Ylok; it might have been possible for those who have contrived his downfall to have expressed contrition; it might have been possible for Sir Gordon Sprigg and bis colleagues, and their allies Messrs Mcrrimnn and Sauer, the leaders of the Bond, to have given, assurances as to tho future, but nono cf these things have been done. Having endeavoured to “drive us into the sea,” the Bond expects us “to forgive and forget,” while they, on their part will neither forget nor forgive! It is preposterous ! Are we, sir, here at home in the Mother Country to sit down under this? ' Shall we gaze with folded hands upon the misdeeds of these opportunist politicians at the Cape? Are we powerless to bring to an end a system of persecution? Shall we permit these Cape politicians, despised and detested in tho other South African colonies, to block the way to a, union of the races and to delay federation. It seems to me, and with your ,courtesy I would suggest it to your readers, that- we have tho remedy in our own hands—a full, complete and sufficient remedy. Before long Sir Gordon Sprigg and his Bond Ministry will be coming to Loudon for more cash, will be coining to London for another loan. If H.M. Government here “will not permit any money derived from Imperial sources to be employed in the compensation of rebels under any circumstances,” why should we, the British public, allow our money to be used for this purpose or for the furtherance of any antiBritish schemes ? Let us see that Sir Gordon Sprigg and his allies have no more money of ours until they have given pledges for good behaviour, itnti!

they havo given proof fer a year or two that they intend to continue in welldoing, until they havo given us “active loyalty.” Those of us who have money invested in Cape loans can sell out and we shall find a more satisfactory investment in the stocks of Natal, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or British India, and tho securities of the Capo will be carefully avoided for the next few years by both private investors and by trustees. In this way, sir, private citizens hero at homo will kill boycotting at tho Capo and will bring tho Afrikander Bond and its leaders to their souses. There are precedents. Tho rulers cf the money market and tho British public have before now brought many a Government to its senses; what has been done before will bo done again. If this he not effective wo will ship our goods to Durban, to Boira, or to Delagoa Bay, instead cf to 1 Capetown and to Pert Elizabeth, and, if necessary, wo can leave the Cape severely alone in a variety of ways. For tho time let us, one and all. avoid the securities of tho Government cf Cape Colony until tho people of that colony have taken the power out of the hands cf the prefeent Ministry, and havo put into office men worthy once moro of our confidence and our support. Hero in tho Old Country, this is no-t, and ought net to be, a Party question, for men. cf all parties are equally desirous of restoring peace and prosperity to South Africa with the least possible delay, but it is obvious that there will be neither prosperity nor peace until the voters at the Cape havo given us a better Government, and I beg, sir, for your support and assistance in the matter.—l am, etc., JAMES LESLIE WANKLYN. House of Commons .Library, 31st December, 1902.