SOUTH AFRICA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9954, 16 September 1910, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICA.

THE UNION ELECTIONS. YESTERDAY'S POLLING. DEFEAT OF PRIME MINISTER. MR BOTHA REJECTED FOR 'PRETORIA EAST. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 15. The South African Union elections were held to-day, and some of tho results are already available. Tho most important is tho rejection of Mr Louis Botha, the Prime Minister, for Pretoria East, where he met Sir Percy Fitzpatrick. Following are the results to hand: — PRETORIA EAST. Sir Percy Fitzpatrick (O.) . . 1231 Rt Hon'Louis Botha (G.) . . 1136 PRETORIA WEST. The Hon J. C. Smuts was elected. JOHANNESBURG (Georgetown). Sir G. H. Farrar (O.) defeated Mr Hull JOHANNESBURG (Commissioner St.). Mr Sampson (Labour) was returned. BLOEM:FONTEIN (Urban). Mr Christian Botha was returned. CAPE TOWN. The four seats were captured by Dr Jameson and three other Unionists. SPEECH BY DR JAMESON. (Received September 16, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 15. Addressing 4000 electors at Cape Town, Dr Jameson said that forces of reaction prevailed in the Cabinet, and a strong Opposition was required to prevent Mr Louis Botha from being overwhelmed by the Hertzog faction. THE TWO PROGRAMMES. AN INTERESTING COMPARISON. Subjoined are tho policies of the two South African parties, the Unionists representing tho Government, at the head of which is the Right Hon Louis Botha, and the Nationalists, the leader of which is the Right Hon Dr Jameson : \ UNIONIST. 1. To make South Africa strong within her own borders and within the Empire by the adoption of a comprehensive schemo of national defence, including practical support of the Imperial Navy, and by furthering all movements calculated to unite the peoples of the Union, and to draw closer the ties which bind the various portions of the Empire.

2. To secure an efficient and impartial public service and its freedom from all political influence, and the payment of liberal compensation to any public servant who may not be retained in tho service on account of Union. 3. To improve tho social conditions of the people (al by a vigorous education policy, including the provision for compulsory education wherever possible, and the extension of free education where required, as well as a liberal system of technical education applied to agriculture, industries, mining and commerce; (b) by opposing the "introduction of Asiatics into South Africa, while securing fair treatment for those now lawfully settled in the country; a Commission to be appointed as soon as possible to investigate the report upon the special labour conditions prevailing in Natal in order to bring them into harmony at the earliest possible date with this principle without detriment.to established industries; (c) by a native policy admitting of the treatment of questions relating to the natives in accordance with the degree of civilisation attained by them and with the different and local conditions under which they live and work; (d) by the maintenance of and exercise of the restrictions on tho sale of intoxicating liquors and of' tho_ prohibition of the sale of drink to natives; by effective supervision and improvement of the conditions under which minors, artisans, railway servants, factory hands, and * other workers are employed; by the introduction of legislation where necessary, and particularly in cases where the nature of the occupation may have injurious effect upon health, to regulate the hours of labour and the conditions of employment, such legislation to make provision in particular for (1) workmen's compensation, (2) Conciliation Bo.uds, (3) a fair wage clause in all Government contracts, (4) adequate ventilation of mines, factories and workrooms.

4. To promote closer settlement and increase the productive capacity of tho land. (a) By the encouragement of closer settlement, coupled with State acquisition of land where necessary and an active policy having for its aim the attraction and assistance* of suitable immigrants; (b) by the systematic development of the agricultural resources of the country, by legislation and otherwise, with special attention to water conservation, the arresting of veld denudation, irrigation and afforestation, as well as by the vigorous suppression of animal diseases and other plagues to which South Africa is subject. .5. To encourage industrial development and expansion (a) by the administration of the railways, ports and harbours in accordance with the spirit as well as the letter of the South Africa Act with a view to the earlv reduction of the cost of living, the systematic development of the country,' and the encouragement of an export trade ; (b) by the fostering of mining in all its branches, and the immediate extension of facilities for prosooctors and small workers ; (c) by the adoption of a moderate Customs tariff, primarily for revenue purposes, but pro riding for adequate encouragement of legitimate South African industries and products, together with the maintenance and extension of the principle of a preferential tariff within the Empire. xationalis't.

The political union of South Africa is no longer an ideal, but has under the guidance of Providence, become an accomplished fact. Through the joint labours and sacrifices of the white races and of all parts of South Africa a work lias been accomplished which it is fervently hoped will bring lasting peace' and happiness to this country. But a task of enormous difficulty and responsibility still lies ahead of the people and Government of South Africa. The public and railway services of the various colonies absorbed by the Union will have to be co-ordinated. The railway policies will have to be recast, their financial systems will liave to he assimilated. A fiscal policy will have to be inaugurated which will lead to the rapid development of the resources of the country. The closer settlement of the land will have to be. promoted. An advance organisation will have to bo created worthy of the heroic traditions of South Africa. The expanding educational requirements will have "to be met. And, above all, a native question of unexampled complexity, requiring the utmost patience the fairest judgment, will have to be dealt with. But behind and beyond these grave matters lies the greater national problem of welding mto one South African nation the various people who have made this country their permanent home. In order that these matters may be dealt with successfully, it is essential to secure the en-operation of all South Africans, of whatever race and to eliminate racialism from all political and national questions; and it is further essential that political parties should rest upon differences of principles on practical questions, and not iipo-u differences of race. \ I eel KM'taiu that a great majoutv oi South

Africans aro in favour of the formation of a political party whose fundaments]] object shall bo to' make- Union a teal and abiding force in our future development, fully recognising So 1 , ah Africa as an integral nart of th<> Kaipiro. It is with tho object of forming such a party that I appeal to my fel-low-countrymen in whatever part 01 South Africa they may live. As it is our primary object to form a South African nation, 1 would suggest -.at the name of our party shall be the .South African National party, and that it shall undertake: (a) To- use its utmost endeavours to make a success of Union and to promote the spirit of union throughout South Africa, and among all sections of its people; (b) to promote a healthy South African spirit in dealing with, our political and national problems. I would also suggest that to secure these objects the party adopt the following principles:— (1) The just and equal treatment of all parts of the Union; (2) tiie maintenance- of the equality, provisions contained in tho South Africa Act, and the avoidance of all causes of estrangement and misunderstanding between tho various sections of the people; (3) the placing of tho native question above party politics, and the fair and sympathetic treatment of the coloured races in a broad and liberal .spirit; (4) tho encouragement of European and the prevention of Asiatic immigration into South Africa: (5) an expanding education' policy to meet the growing requirements of South Africa;_ (6) the improvement of the conditions of labour, and tho securing to whito labour its proper share in the industrial and agricultural expansion of Soiith Africa ; (7) the establishment for South Africa as part of the Empire of an adequate system of' national defence, which will recognise the obligation of tho citizen to take part in the defence of his country; (8) the efficient organisation of the State departments, with due regard to the vested rights of civil servants: .(9) the development of an economic and railway policy along lines which will give greater freedom of expansion to South African industries and commerce; (10) the fostering of stable conditions in connection with the mining industries of South Africa, so as to encourage: tho investment of additional capital therein, and vigorous development of the mineral resources of the country ; (11) the promotion of agricultural expansion and land .settlement by means of improved methods of production, the diffusion of agricultural knowledge, and the opening up of foreign, markets for South African products.