SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 57, 16 June 1910, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

OPENING THE UNION PARLIAMENT. •DUKE OF CONNAUGHT TO OFFICIATE. By Oiible—Press Association—Copyrigli Received June 15, 11.20 p.m. Capetown, June 15. South Africa lias formally invited tne Duke of Connaught to open the Union Parliament. King George has assented to his uncle so acting. The Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia will accompany the Duke. The election will be held early in October. Parliament will be opened about November 4. The Duke and Duchess will afterwards visit Rhodesia. THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. BURYING THE SKELETON OP THE UNHAPPY PAST. PREMIER'S "SLASHING" SPEECH. Received June 15, 11.20 p.m'. Pretoria, June 15. General Botha, in a speech here last night, outlined the Government's policy. He hoped the old party organisations would be dissolved and amalgamated into a great South African National Party for the promotion of the spirit of union; the sympathetic treatment of the natives; the encouragement of the white population; prevention of Asiatic immigration; the promotion of a broad educational policy, acceptable to all; the development of industries, mining and land settlement; encouragement of capital; and the opening of foreign markets. Trade with the Mother Country must be strengthened. He appealed to all to prevent South Africa relapsing into narrow-mindedness. Anyone daring to call from death's valley the skeleton of the unhappy past would 'be an enemy to South Africa, and a greater enemy to the Empire. While appreciating Dr. Jameson's object in respect to continuing the spirit of the convention, experience had shown that coalition was the weakest form of Government. Manv Englishmen and Dutchmen had requested 'him to stand for East Pretoria, where he has resided since peace was declared. He hoped that the contest would be friendly. General Botha received an ovation.