Mr Chamberlain in Natal.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 11998, 21 February 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

Mr Chamberlain in Natal.

GREAT ENTHUSIASM. Mr Chamberlain had a great reception at Pietermaritzburg, Natal, on December 50th. A Reuter's cablegram to London states that after a banquet in the Town Hall. Mr Mason, the Mayor, who presided, proposed the toast of the guest of the evening (Mr Chamberlain), who, on rising, had a reception such as he probably never met before. For nearly two minutes the whole audience seemed all control over themselves. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs, while the men stood on their chairs and yelled, cheered, aud shouted until the hall rang again. Never since Mr Cham-

berlain arrived here has such warmth of feeling been displayed.

As soon as Mr Chamberlain held out. his hand for silence, the contrast was ex-

tinordinary. The cheering stopped, the noise subsided, and in a clear voice the right, lion, gentleman commenced his speech. He expressed his thanks for the reception accorded him. and said the kindness of Natal was overwhelming and embarrassing. He had been hard at work from the morn-

ing until half an hour before dinner, but the work had not been thrown away. Already questions were beginning to shape themselves before his eyes. The difficulties would not grow less. It was unreasonable to expect that his visit was going to settle all the problems. His own anticipation was more modest. He hoped to acquaint himself with local opinion, which was impossible by other ways than by a personal visit. Time was the essential factor for a settlement. Mr Chamberlain went on to say that he was looking forward to his intercourse with Lord Milner, to share the advantages of his experience and to exchange views, so that he would be better able to co-operate at heme with those who administered affairs in South' Africa.

What was the greatest question affecting South Africa? He would answer "Unity" —unity in- three great divisions, first between the two white races, second, within each separate colony for a common object, and thirdly, the nnity of all the colonies in one great federation. Regarding the first, Mr Chamberlain reminded his audience that the Boer leaders, on the conclusion of the war, declared themselves to be loyal subjects of the King. They must not comment on or criticise that declaration, but must accept it wholly and fully

and welcome it as it deserved. But a declaration of loyalty meant much or little. A Boer leader had said that here, as at heme, they could not expect immediately to forget the past or do more than give a passive loyalty. They must allow for feeling. But he hoped the time was not distant \A»n that passive loyalty would become active loyalty. Until then progress in South Africa would be hindered. The right hon. gentlemau proceeded to refer to the example of the English and

the Scots, reminding his hearers that all that was glorious in either nation was now the joint inheritance of the United Kingdom. He asked the Boeis to reflect upon srch an example, and to strive to bring about the same result. " I say," Mr Chamberlain added, " that he who hinders this desire is a traitor to his country and

ruining the prosperity of South Africa."

The second kind of unity to which he referred was that of all the inhabitants of each separate colony at the present critical time. Ths future depended upon thenpresent action, which was making history, and on such an occasion personal and party interests vere secondary. All should rise to

the height of national patriotism. Natal's ], hope for the future depended upon her interests being cared for in the general T settlement, in which she was intimately con- v cerned. She was no longer in leading j strings, and it was not the duty of the c Imperial Government to look after Natal, j While not discouraging individual thought c and opinion, he remarked that there were , j some points on which there was necessity for union, such as Customs, railways, and ( native administration. The third kind of ] unity was the union of South Africa in j one great federation. South Africa must .sooner or later follow the example of Aus- ■ tralia. She would not be interfered with by the Imperial Government. The Imperial Government would not burn its fingers again. Still, it would heartily rejoice when a united people demanded a new constitution. In order to secure it sacrifices were necessary. They must give and take, each one contributing something to attain the greater advantage of the whole. The Constitution of Canada had been suggested bv the Mother Country, and had been accepted, and there had ensued a splendid development of the greatest of the colonies of the Empire. The federation of Australia was a product of home giowth. South Africa was different from both' these other instances. Here they had a small white population in presence of manv natives, who would multiply with extraordinary rapidity. They must deal with that problem, but there was no need for hasty action. They must satisfy themselves that they were being just m regard to details. Nothing was more dangerous than to accept a principle without knowing how they were going to apply it. -Vmoii" the points to be considered, the first was the necessity for self-government in the new colonies. Such a concession, it was perfectly clear, could not be made immediately. "The population had not yet returned, and there was no possible boay . at present which represented the country. . The Imperial Government had the right, before according self-government to the new colonies, to ask for some evidence of that active lovaltv which he hoped would follow the "passive. It would be a dereliction of the Imperial Government's duty to put into power any individual or party which might undo" by political agitation | what had been accomplished so painfully s by arms. Besides, the two colonies as f vet were unable to stand alone. One of ■- "the first accompaniments of self-government :- was that a country should provide its own ■r defence. Could the Imperial garrisons be s withdrawn ? (Cries o'f " 2S*o, no !"') At v. the present moment the Transvaal offered If a field of national investment. The gold tl mines were of greater importance than the :- iron and coal mines. Certain developments in the agricultural industry, such as irrid gation, for instance, required enormous g capital, which might be wisely applied with t- the help of the Government. Enomons e loans were required for these works. Could >-1 they go upon the market without a Goe vernment guarantee ? There was an old it proverb which said. "Who pays the piper j. calls the tune." When the colonies were is ready to pay the piper they could call the ;f tune. All "his remarks we're in the nature

of suggestion, and for the purpose of arousing criticism and interest. The obstacles in the way of federation were not fatal, but they must be carefully, considered. Every South African must constantly reflect how the aspiration after union was to be achieved. Everyone, Dutch, English, capitalist, working man, all classes and all politics, must do all in their power to bring about that union of the people which was necessary to South Africa and to the Empire. He appealed to them to' forget the animosities of the past, and to look forward to the promises of the future. One other union was desired—the unity of the Empire. Towards this the war had done something, and they were still enjoying a union of sentiment which, however, could be broken by a foolish step. It was a slender tie, yethow strong. There was no written document, no obligation, no indenture, yet it had produced the greatest results and extorted the admiration of the world. Lately the Mother Countiy had responded to the appeals of her children. Her resources had been strained. Her rivals had gloated over her difficulties. England had stood isolated among the nations of the world. ;but the sons of Britain had sprung to her assistance. They must cherish the sentiment of unity of Empire, which was based on community of sacrifice. They must not enjoy the privileges of Empire and skulk the burdens. That was a gospel which had been practised in the past and accepted by none, now it was preached here to no unwilling ears. Natal had done much, but not enough. A small colony could not- count for much in the huge (Sum the Empire had paid, but Natal had contributed in personal suffering and ma- | ferial losses. The claims of Natal against the Mother Country in respect of the war, if presented, would give rise to discussion. "But," Mr Chamberlain added, "the Ministers to-day gratified me by saying thev would not think it- worthy of this colony ito haggle and bargain over its terms". They recognise the sacrifices of the Mo-% ther Country, which have been imposed' upon her in defence of colonial interests, and wishing to show their hearty appreciation of this action, they intend to wipe out the account altogether and withdraw their claims. The net result will be that the total cost of the war to Natal will be under two millions. Having regard to the population and resources of Natal, I gratefully accept the decision of the Ministry as a worthy expression of Imperial feeling, justifying the place which the colony has in the hearts of the people of England, and as the best testimony that could be given to its loyalty and patriotism."

At the conclusion of tlft speech the audience seemed to go almost mad with excitemept. They stood upon chairs, shouted and clapped their hands, and seemed almost possessed. Tt is evident that Mr Chamberlain was more than pleased with the result of his speech, for the enthusiasm provoked by the prospect of giving away two million sterling was amazing.