SOUTH AFRICA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16465, 18 June 1919, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICA.

DUTCH NATIONALISTS. RECEIVE A CLEAR REPLY. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received June 18, 12.30 p.m.) PRETORIA, June 10. The lobby correspondent of the Volksteim (a Government organ) gives circumstantial details of the interview of the National deputation with Mr. Lloyd George. President Wilson declined to grant an interview. Air. Hertzog, as spokesman, claimed the restitution of the independence of the Free State and Transvaal. As regards Natal and the Cape ho based his claim on Nationalist resolutions and the principle of self-determination.. Air. Lloyd George replied in writing that he absolutely declined to entertain the request for the disruption of the Union, which was founded on a solemn covenant and could not be broken even if the entire Dutch-speak-ing population demanded it. A NATIVE DEPUTATION. STATES ITS GRIEVANCES. (Received June 18, 12.T5 p.m.) CAPETOWN, June 10. A deputation from the African Political Organisation interviewed the Act-ing-Premier and represented the grievances of the coloured population. The deputation complained particularly of the conditions 'in the Free State, which was described as a slave State. It also_ complained of the prohibition of coloured representatives sitting in Parliament and declared that serious discontent was prevalent among the coloured people. The Premier urged patience. He believed tho Native Administration Bill which would shortly be again before Parliament would provide tho germ of a solution. A conference would also shortly deal wdth the coloured labour question. ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. PLANNED BY SOUTH AFRICANS. (Received Juno 18, 12.15 p.m.) CAPETOWN, June 10. The promoters of the South African National Antarctic Expedition have issued a statement that the object is to explore, in tho interests of science, the sector immediately south of South Afirica. The expedition will be constituted entirely of South Africans. It is hoped to sail in November, 1920, and return in April, 1923. The various universities have been invited to nominate scientists to accompany the expedition. The cost of the expedition is estimated at £200,000. The task of raising the sum has been placed in the hands of a committee and the Government has been asked to “nominate a representative. NEW DIAMOND FIELD. (Received June 18, 12.15 p.m.) PRETORIA, June 10. According to reports from Bloemfontein a promising diamond discovery is reported from the Ronxvilla district. The largest stone found weighs 80 carats.