SOUTH AFRICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2950, 28 September 1910, Page 33

SOUTH AFRICA.

MR BOTHA' RETAINS OFFICE. PRETORIA, September 19. Mr Botha has decided to retain the Premiership. ■ September 20. j Mr Botha's decision has dispelled the possibility of a Merriman-Hertzog-Fischer : Ministry. The English precedents set by ; Mr Gladstone and Mr Balfour induced ! Mr Botha to take the action which he : has taken. ! Reuter's Pretoria agent says that there are still rumours of a grave crisis in the Cabinet, leading to Mr Merriman replacj ing Mr Botha. The deliberations will be 1 continued on Wednesday. " CAPETOWN'!; September 22. The deadlock continues, and Mr Botha will resign unless Mr Hull reconsiders I his refusal to remain in office. If Mr Botha resigned Lord Gladstone would then summon Mr Merriman. September 25. Lord Methuen has completed his tour for the purpose of converting Northern Orange River Colony to the idea of a unified South African defence force. He addressed both formal and informal meetings, and talked to many farmers, usging the necessity of protection against the native danger within and union for other dangers without. The general favoured an elaboration of the commando system. LONDON, September 22. The Times' Johannesburg correspondent expresses the opinion that means will be found whereby Mr Botha will retain the PremLin* i jip. September 25. Mr J. B. Robinson, the well-known mining magnate, telegraphs to the British Press that there has never been a crisis in Mr Botha's Cabinet, His position since the elections is stronger than ever. The recent sensational reports emanated from 1 a weak Onoosition and their organs, and

were designed to serve~ party purposes. The Botha party, he adds, will govern on non-racial lines.