THE NATIVE PROBLEM IN SOUTH AFRICA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17482, 26 November 1918, Page 8

THE NATIVE PROBLEM IN SOUTH AFRICA

A- representative of the Westminster Gazette recently interviewed Mr T. W.Mackenzie, editor of the Friend, Bloemfontein, whose previous visit to England waa made 16 years ago. Mr Mackenzie is a Scotsman from Inverness, and a man of clear and decided views. Towards the close of the interview he was asked a question with regard to tho attitude of the natives towards Great Britain in the war, and he made this deeply interesting answer:— ' Europe' (ho said) cannot pay too high a tribute to the natives of South Africa generally for tho magnificent and consistent loyalty they have shown throughout a most difficult time; a time made all the more trying because both German and extreme political influences were brought to bear upon them, in tho hope of seducing them from their loyalty to Great Britain. In the last resort the people of South Africa must solve this problem of tho native in their own way. Personally, I have nob the slightest doubt that they will solve it along judicial and judicious lines." The question of " self-determination the phrase so much on the lips of German statesmen —was mentioned. "If it ever comes to a question of self-determination,** said Mr Mackenzie. " I don't think rt would bo a reasonable proposition to asb the Union as a whole to decide it. We should have to go back to tho pro-Union status, and let each individual colony decide for itself. But, of course, all of U3 who can think clearly at all_ agree that South Africa has already had its own selfdetermination, by deciding voluntarily and freely upon union as' an integral part of tho British commonwealth. Thero can bo no going back upon that position without bloodshed."