SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 15

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS

CAPETOWN, January 27. Thirty-eight Australians residing in Johannesburg have telegraphed Mr Deakin protesting against his interference iv local politics, adding that unless outside labour supplements the South Afric/in supply the country will be ruined. Scores of whites are now leaving Johannesburg, and thousands in South Africa arc seeking work.

Jium.-uy 29

Consternation prevails in Johannesburg at the prospect of the British parliamentary discussion of the Chinese ordinance. Irrespective of the merits of the measure, there is strong objection to the idea that any colonial act should be subjected to parliamentary revision.

January 31

Sir A. Lawley promised ?31 persons who had been excommunicated and who were desirous of forming a new Dutch Church assistance in proportion to what they would have received from the grant given to the Reformed Church.

February 4.

Replying to the protest made in the Transvaal Legislative Council against the Imperial Parliament's intervention on tho Imported Labour Ordinance, on the ground that it was a. dangerous principle to submit local que-tions to politicians ignorant of the conditions involved, the Attcrney-general said that he was not aware of any such intention, though he would reminft the Transvaal Council of the scope of the parliamentary prerogative

LONDON, January 28

The Hon. A. Lyttelton, Secretary for the Colonies, promises that there will be a full discussion in Parliament before the Transvaal Chinese Labour Ordinance is sanctioned.

The St. James's Gazette says that Mr Seddon has the admirable faculty of thinking imperially, but perhaps rather to an excess on some obvious occasions, when to think locally would be a virtue.

Sir H. Campbeil-Bannerman, speaking ab Glasgow, declared that it was shameful that hundreds of British workmen were returning from South Africa weekly, while Chinese were welcomed. January 29.

The Times, commenting on the Hon. A. Lyttelton's cablegram to Mr Seddon, applauds his wisdom in following the salutary rule of least interference. January 31.

The Daily Express says that many starving Australians tramped from the Transvaal to Capetown, including a State Minister's son.

February 1

The Council of the Amalgamated Engineers has invited its branches to influence members of the House of Commons to prevent the Imperial Government sanctioning the Transvaal importation of Chinese.

February 2.

The Hon. A. Lyttelton replies to the protest from the Cape with regard to the introduction of Asiatics into the Transvaal in terms similar to his reply to Mr Seddon. He refers to the unanimity of the Bloemfontein Conference, and adds : "It would be all the more difficult to justify a refusal to accede to txie Transvaal's wishes in view of the precedent, long since established In the case of Natal."

February 4.

A Blue Book shows that Lord Milner was convinced of the genuineness of the change of opinion in Johannesburg regarding the importation of Chinese. Lord Milner also counselled a postponement of the Transvaal's portion of the war loan owing to the condition of the mining industry and the lack of funds, as well as the unfavourable state of the money market. MELBOURNE, January 28.

The Hon. Mr Deakin states that the cablegram from Australians at Johannesburg, protesting against his interference in the question of the employment of Chinese in the Rand, was unsigned. -H© has received another message declaring that the protest emanated from a secret non-representative gathering.

January 29

Mr Deakin has received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies a message similar to that of Mr Seddon's in reference to the Chinese on the Rand.

Resolutions were adopted by the Trades Hall Council condemning the introduction of Chinese into the Transvaal ; also heartily supporting Mr Seddon's action. It was further recommended that all intercolonial labour bodies take immediate action, so that a united protest can be made " against this alien importation." A copy of the resolution was transmitted to Mr Dcakin and to all intercolonial labour bodies.

"WELLINGTON, January 29.

At the request of Australians in Johannesburg, wlio asked the Premier to send a message, Mr Scddon lias despatched, tho following to the secretary of the Anti-Asiatio League, Capetown: "Earnestly hope, in tho true interests oE South Africa, movement to introduce Asiatic labour will not eucceod. If such were to be the result of the groat sacrifice made, it would cause heart-burn-ings and feeling of "widespread disapomtjncnt. No Asiatic can enter this colony with-

out paymont of £100. Speaking as on© knowing Chinese on the goudfi&lds of Australia and New Zealand, I assert that they

v ould be no u-^e fox* underground work, and would provo undpsirabio colonists in ©very senso of tho word " ] Tho Trades and Labour Council has decided to a^k the Mayor to convene a public , meeting 10 protest against the importation of Chinese into South Africa. : By LundVs Blue* Anchor liner NpTung, which arrived in Melbourne a fortnight ago, many Victorians who joined in the thoughtless rush to South Africa returned to Australia. Tho Nitrrung came from London On calling at tho Cape she was fairly rush&d by Australians who •& till po^tse^ed the means to pay their homeward passages. Her passenger list shows a fairly equal distribution amongst the States. The Victorians aro mainly described as drhers, firemen, fitters, cleaners, carpenters, blackamitha, and other aitkane who lushed away during the railway strike troubles.

The Lallast engine took iho first load of stuff over iho viaduct at Poolburn Gorge on Tuesday afternoon, 2nd.