SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS

Otago Witness, Issue 2612, 6 April 1904, Page 15

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS

THE AFRIKANDER BOND.

LOUIS BOTHA'S COUNSEL.

ARMY OF IDLE NATIVES.

CAPETOWN, March 29.

In the Cape Assembly the- obstructionist tactics of the Bond members on the second reading, stage of the Redistribution of Seats Bill led to an allnight sitting. They hope to delay the passing of the bill over the Easter holidays.

The Natal Mercury says that if the campaign in England against Lord Milner results in his recall, a cry may be raised in favour of "cutting the painter," followed by action on Ameri-can-Hawaiian lines.

March 30.

The Speaker of the Cape Assembly applied the closure to the debate on the Redistribution of Seats Bill, which passed by 42 votes to 34.

March 31.

Mr Louis Bothk, addressing the Farmers' Congress at Krugersdorp, said that the Boers were willing to stay their opposition to the Chinese if the Government and the aniue owners undertook the entire responsibility. The rich mines were workable by whites. He added that there were half a million natives in South Africa who could become industrious. He deprecated the introduction of Chinese, but the farmers were willing to assist the Government in any measure for the benefit of the. country. Mv 3>§ la Rcy declared ;fchj& h& did

not approve of Chinese, and urged the farmer* to ask for better representation in the Government.

Both speakers declared that the Boeis had abandoned all thoughts of vindictiveness in consideration of their privileges on local subject 5 :, and would co-operate for a general reconciliation.

Mr Edwards, president of the Boer Farmers' Congress at Krugersdorp, urged legislation to compel 600,000 natives to work.