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SOUTH AFRICA

By FREDERICK STUBBS, F.R.G.S. (All Rights Reserved) Africa! The most tropical of the continents, the land of mystery, of perished and rising civilisations, of semi-savages, of horrible disease and lurking death, of strange and dangerous beasts, of gold and precious stones galore, and, to-day, of European rivalries. At the mention of Africa we think of the PharoAhs, of Moses and the Israelites, of the Queen of Sheba, of Hannibal, Cleopatra, Carthage, and, living within the life of some of us, of Speke and Grant, of Livingstone and Stanley. It is a wonderful continent, still bearing many evidences of civilisation that existed when our forefathers were rude savages. There are not only the well known pyramids and temples of Egypt, but other ruined splendours which show that intelligent and progressive races dwelt here. Here was the land and golf of Ophir, the Sabeans of Sheba traded here for centuries. Then a long period of decay set in. The Land of Ophir became a desert, Carthage, “to which three hundred cities paid homage.” was wiped from the face of the earth; Thebes became a stupendous ruin to excite the wonder of the 19th century tourists; Alexandria, the ancient seat of commerce and of learning, became a fourth-r Ate nondescript city. Let no one with the example of Africa before him imagine that it is impossible for a great civilised Power to pass away; alas, it is only too possible if wisdom, energy and courage decay. Coming down to comparatively modern times, the Portuguese in the 15th century, under the dauntless navigator Vasco da Gama, were the first to explore the southern portion of the great continent. By the end of the 16th century the Dutch were beginning to compete for South African trade. In 1652, under Jan Van Ricbeeck, they founded Capetown. Then the British began to arrive, and to claim a shAre of the good things going, founding the colony of Natal. After many years of rivalry and strife between the two races and of misfortune on the part of the Dutch, the latter were compelled to retire, and in 1815 sold Capo Colony to the British for six million pounds. The subsequent events of the 19th century, come within the compass of the modern history of South Africa—the Boer rebellion of 1819; the Albany settlement of 1820; the second Kaffir War of 1835; the Great Boer Trek of 1836rthe annexation of the Transvaal inJKv 1 /; the Zulu War of 1879; the arrival of the Germans in 1883; the Jameson Raid and subsequent war of 1899; the Union of South Africa under the British Crown in 1910.

South Africa To-day Thanks to the hospitable Assistance of the Government I was able to visit a large portion of South Africa. It covers an immense area. Within the Union alone, i.e., in Natal, Cape Colony, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, there are 473,000 square miles, with a population of 7,000.000, whilst in the native States of Basutoland, Bechuanaland, South West Africa and Swaziland you have another 615,394 square miles, the population of these provinces put together being approximately 8,000,000, of -whom 1,550,000 Are Europeans. The physical comfor.><ion of the country is of an elevated table land, 40 per cent, of which lies over 4000 ft above sea level (Johannesburg is 5735 ft), gradually rising from the sea by terraces, and bordered by a narrow fertile coast bolt. Inland there are great mountain ranges up to 11,000 feet, and vast plains like the Karoo extending for hundreds of miles. The rivers are poor and there are no lakes of any importance. The scenery, like i the conformation of the country is very varied, but always interesting, usually picturesque, and frequently beautiful. In the Cape Colony and the Free State it differs from anything I have seen elsewhere, reminding me continually of the Great Desert and rocky formations of Arizona and Colorado. The clearness of the Atmosphere and the vivid colouring are also familiar. Climate Speaking generally the climate of the coast is warm and humid; that of the great tablelands dry, hot in summer and cold in winter. The percentage of sunshine is high, the rain fall variable, and away from the coast frequently insufficient. Even where there is a good fall it is often confined to a short period. High winds are frequent. Occasionally there are terrible hail storms. In November, 1924, near Kimberley, the hail lay sft on the ground and huge blocks of ice floated down the Vaal River. I myself passed, through a terrific storm, in which a number of the plateglass windows of the train, including my own compartment, were smashed. There are also occasionally terrible thunder storms in which damage is done. Speaking from my own six months’ experience, I should say that the climate is on the whole one of the best in the world, healthy and agreeable, though, as I have shown, by no means perfect, and there are, of course, parts of the year when particular localities should be avoided. On the coast, especially in the north, which is sub-tropic, fever Afflicts both men and animals, but as the land becomes drained and cultivated it becomes more healthy. Those living above 300 ft. are immune from tropical diseases. There the flower of the Dutch farmers live, a big people living on big farms, and thriving on native labour. Racial Problem The most tremendous problem that awaits solution in South Africa is the Racial Problem. I intend writing further on this, but may remind the reader here that you have in South Africa first of all two white races, both brave, stubborn, and emphatically lovers of freedom. Then you hAve I one of these races represented by the • Paramount Power—Great Britain, and j exhibiting a somewhat higher standard of education, etc., and in addition, you have some 6,500,000 British Indian subjects and African natives. Here then Are 8,000,000 human beings in South Africa (excluding Rhodesia) of whom only some million and a-half are white. How are these various races going to accommodate themselves to another’s needs and pecularities? Yet, unless it is satisfactorily solved, the civilisation of South Africa will fail and bloodshed and anarchy result. How South Africa is Governed The Union of South Africa comprising Natal, Cape Colony, the Transvaal, and the Free State, is governed by a Governor-General and an Executive Connell, the King’s Ministers of State. There are two Houses of Parliament.

The Senate consists of 40 members, eight of whom are nominated by the Government, and 32 elected by the provinces. These are chosen for 10 years. The House of Assembly possesses 135 members, elected for five years. Members of both Houses must be British subjects of European descent, and must not be less than 30 years of age, a rule which I am Afraid would disqualify some of the youths in the English Upper House. In addition to those, each of the four provinces has a Provincial Council presided over by an administrator. Pretoria is the seat of Government, and Capetown official languages, Dutch And English. There is manhood suffrage but not womanhood. The Protectorates of Bechuanaland, Basutoland, and Swaziland are governed by the High Commissioner through Resident Commissioners and other officers. At the present time, the Nationalist Party is in power, GenerAl Smuts who had held office for five years having been defeated last year. The Nationalists are by nc means pro-British and are not enthu siastically in favour of Immigration, holding that none but South Africans should inherit the land. At the same time it would he A mistake to regard them as anti-British. They are antiimperialistic, sincerely afraid lest they should be drawn into foreign entanglements and responsibilities, but they also recognise the advantages they enjoy through the British connection. General Hertzog, the present Prime Minister, admitted this in my interview with him a few months ago, and disclaimed earnestly, and I believe quite sincerely, any intention to recommend a policy of succession. I think I express the Prime Minister’s mind when I say that he recognises the value of the British connection and is anxious to maintain it—only he is equally anxious to save South Africa from being drawn into Imperialistic schemes or foreign entanglements. What the NationAlists are in danger of forgetting is that privileges entail duties; advantages, responsibilities; and one cannot expect to enjoy the security and advantages conferred by membership in a great confederation without incurring responsibility andexpense. Alost of the good things of this world have to be paid for in some wAy or other. What has been resented by the British in South Africa is the attempt made by the Minister of

Justice and others to remove British officers from the National service and to replace them by Boers. This doc-, trine of the Spoils of the, Victors as applied to politics, is a vicious one,, tending to lower the, efficiency as well as the security of the services. The. Minister of Justice would even require* all tho administrators (State Governors) to resign on a change of Government. Whether he would hiave made this recommendation if the majority of the administrators had belonged I<r his own party may reasonably be doubted. But I think the steadier heads of the Nationalist party will decline ‘o follow tho Extremists, and that for many years to come, lat all events, South Africa will remain faithful o the British connection and enjoy, and I hops appreciate, the many advantages that connection confers.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19251024.2.80

Bibliographic details

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19437, 24 October 1925, Page 11

Word Count
1,581

SOUTH AFRICA Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19437, 24 October 1925, Page 11

SOUTH AFRICA Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19437, 24 October 1925, Page 11