THE PELORUS GUARDIAN, AND MINERS’ ADVOCATE. TUESDAY. 20TH JANUARY, 1903. Mr Chamberlain’s Tour.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 5, 20 January 1903, Page 4

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN, AND MINERS’ ADVOCATE. TUESDAY. 20TH JANUARY, 1903. Mr Chamberlain’s Tour.

In his explanatory speech in the House of Commons prior to his departure for Africa, Mr Chamberlain stated he was going with a, perfectly open mind and with a determination to learn for himself. No one who has followed the progress of his tour can deny that not only is he learning many things, mostly unpleasant, but that he also in teaching the Boers that they have in him no man of straw but an able and Car-seeing statesman who will not permit dictation in schemes which he and his colleagues have decided are for the betterment and the uplifting of both Boers and British in South Africa. But Mr Chamberlain's dissatisfaction with the crafty and elusive Boer is very apparent. When he left on his great mission be was fully aware of the immense difficulties to be encountered in " that grave of great expectations " —Africa, but judging from the messages received detailing his speeches he is genuinely disappointed at the lack of loyalty on the part of the Boers and those who have been directly benefited by the war. He tells us that " the case is overwhelming for a reasonable contribution from the Transvaal towards the cost of the war," and adds that "he would despair of Imperialism if he thought South Africa was so indifferent to honour as to allow the Motherland to beiu increased taxation for a generation while the colonies were making a profit." Such a pronouncement will be regarded by Englishmen with profound satisfaction, and it was necessary that its insistence should be voiced by a statesman of Mr Chamberlain's calibre. It is not surprising to_ find that the Boers are not at all satisfied with Mr Chamberlain, for the result? of his tour are not likely to be in line with their expectations. Mr Chamberlain will, however, leave behind him a very distinct impression that the work of imperialism must not be interfered with, and there is every reason to hope that his exertions will result in the settlement of difficulties and the arrangement of plans for the inculcation and development of true Imperialism.