SOUTH AFRICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 25

SOUTH AFRICA.

CAPETOWN, May 7. Public opinion in South Africa bitterly complains of the Home Radicals successively and grossly, maligning the Cape, Natal, and the Transvaal. The traducers by their actions are unintentionally but perceptibly strengthening the feeling of brotherhood, and hastening the federation of South Africa. The Natal M-ercury declares that Mr Steyn's recent speech is a travesty of his- ] tory, and designed to arouse racial hatred. May 8. A repatriation test case was heard at Pretoria. The mine-owner's counsel contended that posting the notice amounted to an inducement to tlie coolies to leave the mines. Judgment was reserved. May 10. The Court of Pretoria has upheld the legality of placarding the Imperial Government's repatriation proclamation. Those at the head of the mining industries have resolved to facilitate the placarding. May 12. A deputation, representing 10,000 artisans, protested to Lord Selborne (High Commissioner in South Africa) that if repatriation facilities are allowed to the Chinese it is likely to throw 7000 whites idle. The deputation claimed that similar facilities ehould be extended to the unem- j ployed whites. I Lord Selborne said that the Government ] did not wish to dislocate the mining industry, but the discontented coolies must be repatriated. LONDON, May 8. Replying to a question, Mr Churchill said that a Chinaman's contribution to his repatriation expenses was unnecessary in all cases, provided a bona fide desire to return was plainly manifest. The Tribune (G.) declares that the Government, having pledged itself plainly that the Chinese are free to quit, ought to tell the Chinese so in equally plain terms. The Portuguese newspapers aseert that a Boer plot has been discovered, having for its object the seizure of Mossamedes, in Angola, West Africa, and the establishment of a Republic.