South African Union.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 2, 11 January 1911, Page 5

South African Union.

New Zealand Delegate’s Impressions.

THE Hon. Geo. Fowlds (Minister of Education), who has been representing New Zealand at the opening of the first Parliament of the Union of South Africa, nnd who arrived at Adelaide by the steamer Aeneas on December 28, was interviewed there by your representative. “In the first place,” said Mr. Fowlds, “I desire to express my appreciation of the very hearty welcome which was accorded to Mr. Fisher (the Federal Premier), myself and party, by the Government and by the leading people whom we met, not only in Capetown, but all over -South Africa. The Dutch and the British were equally enthusiastic in the reception they gave us. The Railway Commissioners placed at our disposal ■two finely equipped saloon cars, with ■bathrooms, diningroom, kitchen, and smoking room, besides sleeping compartments, and a very efficient staff Of stewards. In this way we travelled in perfect comfort over considerably more than 5000 miles of railway, visiting all the main centres of population in South Africa, Bechuanaland and Rhodesia, including Victoria Falls, so that we were enabled to see far more of the country than the great majority of South Africans have ever seen, or are ever likely to see. The Government and people of Capetown deserve much credit for the taste and magnificence of their preparations for the great celebration. The decorations and illuminations were both exceedingly grand, and the arrangements for all the main functions reflected great credit on those concerned. It was quite evident that everybody had realised fully that a great historical event was about to happen, and had determined to spare no expense to make it impressive and memorable. An Historical Pageant. “The historical pageant, which occupied two whole afternoons, was splendidly conceived and admirably carried out. The main incidents of South African history were vividly and realistically enacted on the margin of Table Bay, probably on the very spot where Johan Van Reibeck landed 258 years before. The clear South African atmosphere, the noble liackground of Table Mountain, and the immense crowds of well dressed people on grandstands, together with the quaint old world dresses on the pageant ground, made a never-to-be-forgotten picture. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught and the Princess Patricia went everywhere and say everything, and left

behind them a very favourable impression. The Duke seems to possess an a. very large measure the bonhomie qualities which made his late brother, King Edward, such a popular sovereign. Royally Entertained. “The reception accorded to the combined Australian and New Zealand party, wherever it went, was something marvellous. The administrators of the different provinces entertained us, the mayors and magistrates, clubs and companies, New Zealand, Australian, and Scottish societies, and tho Trade and Labour Councils vied with each other to do no honour. The number of socials, banquets, breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, garden parties, and picnics we attended during the six weeks we were in South Africa would be difficult to enumerate, while the speeches we made were like the sand on the eeashore or the desert, innumerable. Before leaving Capetown we had farewell letters and telegrams from all sorts and conditions of peop’.o throughout South Africa, telling us how much good our visit -had done. I hope that we have done some good. At any rate, wherever we went we < tinselled unity, believing that was the most essential thing for the present and future prosperity of South Africa. Racial Antagonism. “Did we find much racial 'bitterness amongst the people? Well, no; not more than you would expect, considering the few years that have elapsed since the two white people were fighting each other. Amongst the leaders on both sides, I may say, we found no racial bitterness. The two parties in the Union Parliament are not in my judgment more antagonistic than they usually are in British communities, especially when some important question like, say, the British Budget of 1909 is under discussion. It is quite a mistake to talk of racialism between Dutch and British in South Africa. The two peoples are one race, though divided by language. As General Hertzog said in effect at the farewell dinner which Mr. Fisher and I gave in Capetown, they were originally of the same stock, and the new thing which is going to come out of Africa in accordance with the old proverb is that the people who were divided in Europa are going to be re united in South Africa. A Virile Race. “I was very favourably impressed by the Dutch people. They are an exceed, ingly strong, virile people, both mentally and physically, and will make an excellent addition to the British empire. I iwas specially impressed by their womenfolk. All the educated Dutch women take a keen interest in public affairs, and are as well versed in them as the men. I think this feature has come largely through the operation of the old Roman Dutch law which has prevailed at the Cape from time immemorial. Under that law, when a man marries, the wife at once becomes a full and equal partner with him in all the property he possesses. I believe this fact has l>een an important. element in the development of Dutch character generally, and fully accounts for the deep interest displayed by the women in all public and national affairs. Perplexing Questions. “The natives question and the question of the intermediate coloured people of Cape Colony are very perplexing problems. I am sorry to say that a large number of good people in South Africa entertain what appears to me a very heathenish idea about the blacks. They seem to be opposed to every effort that is made to educate or civilise them. The idea secerns to be to keep them for ever as hewers of wood and drawers of water. In my opinion, this is not only au unjust, but an impossible policy. Let me say that I found that mental attitude quite as common amongst the British people as amongst the Dutch, but it- is only fair to say that quite a large proportion of the people entertain much more enlightened views on the subject. My surprise was that anybody could be found holding the former views.

If the white people In South Africa have no mission to elevate the blacks, then their right to be there is open to question. Even on purely economio grounds, the sooner the black man is civilised the better. His wants will then increase, nnd he will perforce have to become more continuously industrious. He will also need to -be lemuneratcd more highly, which will of itself help to solve the white industrial problem of South Africa. Queer Notions of Economics. “They have very queer notions of economics in some parts of tho country—e.g., in some places they have byylaws or local regulations that no coloured artisan is to be paid more than a certain sum per hour, which is considerably below the rate of wages paid to white men for the same class of work. These regulations a.rc supposed to be in the interest of the white workers. If the regulations were that no coloured worker was to 'be paid a less rate than -the standard customary amongst white tradesmen, the result desired would be more likely to be attained. “A Monstrous Blot.” “The natives and coloured people are not allowed to vote for members of the Union Parliament except -in Capo Colony, and the constitution absolutely debars any coloured man from being elected to the Union Parliament. That, in my judgment, is a monstrous blot on the Union Constitution Act, and it seems the irony of fate that such a retrograde enactment should have been passed by a Liberal Government. I don’t think there is such a provision in the constitution of any other civilised country, and tho worst feature of the Act is that it takes away from the coloured people of Cape Colony a right which they had enjoyed for fifty years. It might be claimed that they are a/I allowed to be elected to the Provincial Councils, but the Provincial Councils under the Act are merely glorified County Councils. I quite recognise that the framers of the constitution had a very difficult problem to face. The democratic constitutions, with manhood suffrage, which had been granted to the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony, tended to complicate the issue. To give manhood suffrage to five or six millions of uneducated blacks in a country with less than 1,500,000 whites was clearly impossible. The correct solution would have been to adopt the Cape Colony system, which was a low property qualification, coupled with an education test. Industries and Agriculture. “What is your opinion about the industrial and agricultural prospects of tho country?” “Well, I think tho mining industry has a great future before it. Coal-mining is only in its infancy, nnd I believe that great deposits of gold and diamonds, hots idee a large variety of other metals and precious stones, are still to be discovered or developed. Many people believe that the do Beers Comjany are aware of other rich diamombferous deposits 03 their extensive tv. rates, which are not likely to be operated on for many years The Rand mines already produce on» third of the world’s total gold output and the amount of the gold productioa is likely to continue increasing for soma years yet. Tho gold from tho Rand mines, however, is won at a terrible sacrifice of human life. I believe that statistics show that the average life of the white miner is only seven years, and I am afraid, if exact figures were available, the life of the native miner would be found to be much less. I think some parts of South Africa have considerable agricultural possibilities, but much has yet to be done in combating pests and diseases, which scourge t-ha country, coming from the north. The late Transvaal and Natal Government* deserve great credit for the efforts they made to scientifically deal with these difficulties, and I have no doubt the Union Government will continue the investigations and experiments. Much could also be done in the way of water conservation, and the whole field of experiment in the methods of dry farming at ill lies before the people. Soutk Africa has a fascination all its own, and in my early years I felt the glamour of the veldt. It still appeals to me to some extent. but on the whole, I am glad that circumstances directed my steps te 'God's own country’ more than twentyfive vears ago. I have had a most enjoyable visit, and am returning refresh ed far my work in Now Zealand.”

Domlnim Exports. The values of. the .principal proiluctn •xpdrted from New Zealand last month ■were as follows: — Butter, £211,611; cheese, £86,560; beef, £30,162; mutton, £34,04!); . mutton, legs and pieces, 4'6,780; lamb, £50,106; hemp, £64,068.; Ijow, £4,877; hides, £1,248; skins, 1£3,948; tallow, £30^671; wool, £664.033; total, £1,207,113. Territorials’ Morals. Some comments on the possibility of the contamination of the colonial youth in the eamps under the new territorial scheme are made in a letter to the “Dominion,” signed “Visitor.” The writer cays:— “My experience on a visit to Palmerston North yesterday (holiday Monday) inspires this letter. On the railway station and about its neighbourhood I saw a number of young fellows in military uniform visibly the worse for liquor, and HOtne on hotel premises indulging in intimacy with girhj evidently not their sisters, nor the best of companions for them.” . The writer also quotes a letter written by a mother who had two sons in camp at the time of Lord Kitchener’s visit, alleging that loose women were hanging about the vicinity of the eamp, and that obscene talk was indulged in by some of the men. A prominent territorial officer in Auckland who has had many years’ experience, and of eanips particularly, told a “Star” reporter that in the Auckland District no caakteen was permitted in the camps, -which were usually held some distance away .from places, where hotels exist. The statement about, loose women hanging round eanips was absolute nonsense. No civilians tyeyp allowed to remain •within the prepippts of ..a eanip after dark, "You cannot expect our young men to be saints,” sa-id the officer, “but there is a wide gap between,that and the state of thing,; spoken of by this Wellington person, I am sure, from a long experience of the territorials, and the volunteers before them, that they are not *o black as they are painted. As far as this district is concerned, since the new Act came into force, banishing liquor from all encampments and places devoted to training, the law has been rigidly enforced and observed by all concerned'. So far is-this carried out that at a reeent gathering the health of the officers was honoured in lemon squash, and surely one could not wish for anything more temperate than this.” “In future,” remarked the officer, “there will not be a smell of liquor about a eamp, or place devoted to drill. While lam not a total abstainer, I am quite in sympathy with the strict legislation for removing a source of temptation from our young soldiers. With regard to the allegations about obscene language, I think the remarks are quite beside the truth. It is absurd to say that camps are noted for this sort of thing. Volunteers do not go into camp to indulge in language of this nature. You will not find a scrap more of this sort of thing at a volunteer camp than you will at any other gathering of

young men. My experience is that there is a very healthy public opinion among our men. 'Die man who.drinks to excess ami the man wlib rases'foul language is looked down on severely by his comrades, and they’ generally manage to make it very plain to him that his presence is distasteful. Men who have been kept hard at work have no inclination to sit up at night talking in this manner. Take the last Battalion camp at Papatoetoe for instance. After ‘Lights out’ you would not hear a word —the men were too tired.’’ Baden-Powell to Visit New Zealand. Last week Dominion' Chief Scout Cbssgrove received a letter from General Sir R. S. S. Baden-Powell, founder of the boy scout, movement, expressing the intention of visiting the Dominion at the end of the present year. The writer states that he will make a full investigation as to the movement in New Zealand. Bishop Cleary. Bishop Cleary arrived at Christchurch last week and was cordially received by clergy and people of the Roman Catholic faith. He was entertained at dinner by the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes (Bishop of Christchurch) and elergy, and presented with a congratulatory address. Amongst tiie guests were the editors of the leading Christchurch newspapers, who referred to the compliment paid the journalistic profession by’ the elevation of one whom journalists all admired, not only for the graceful and trenchant pen he wielded, but also for the manner in which he upheld the highest traditions of journalism. Western Pacific Administration. Die Hon. Jas. Carroll, who is Minister in charge of the Cook and other islands in the Pacific which come within New Zealand’s jurisdiction, interviewed by al “Star” representative last week, .said that up to the present the New’ Zealand Government had had no intimation that the headquarters of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific were to be removed from- Fiji. “Even if such a move were contemplated. I should think the controversy as to which would be the best administrative base—Sydney or Auckland —would cause the authorities to hesitate about taking any’ action,” added Mr. Carroll. Asked whether the New Zealand Government would take immediate steps to advance this country’s claims if any change of headquarters was to be made, the Minister laughingly replied that if the Government neglected to do eo it was quite a certainty that Auckland would not fail to voice its ow n demands. So far as he knew, however, there was no official information available of any proposal in regard to either the removal of the High Commissioner's headquarters, or any annexation of the islands of the Western Pacific by Australia or New Zealand.

THE TERRITORIALS. v - ' • "K . INSTRUCTION FOR INSTRUCTORS. A UNIFORM SYSTEM. The holding of an instructional training camp at Tauherenikau is the first practical step taken in connection with 1 lie scheme for compulsory military training. All the permanent instructors of the Dominion are present, and the officers and sergeant instructors who have lieen given probationary appointments. The object of the camp is to teach the new staff how to instruct, and to put the permanent staff through the same course, and so make the whole future scheme of instruction uniform. This is necessary because the same training will be carried out in every area. . . Colonel Heard, the Commandant of the camp, was very fortunate in the selection of a site for the camp. A more suitable place eould not have been hit upon. The Tauherenikau River is within a stone’s throw’, and in front of the camp there is a natural parade ground many acres in extent, which during the next two months will be used continuously for instructional purposes. The greatest possible care has been taken in the establishment of a thoroughly up-to-date sanitary and water supply system. Lieutenant-Colonel Bey, of Greytown, the medical officer of the camp, inspected the arrangements this morning, and was loud in his praises, saying there was nothing even that he could suggest in the way of improvement. The water is raised to tanks by means of a ram from the clear running spring at the rear of the eanip, pipes being laid to various points, where taps have been placed for the draw off. An acetylene gas plant has been installed, and all the mess tents and marquee lecture rooms are lit at night by this illuminant. The men for the most part are a very smart-looking lot, both officers and instructors, and keenness is evident on all sides. Many of these chosen to take part in the camp are throwing up good positions and business to embrace a military career, the love of soldiering being the incentive. As to uniforms, there.are hardly two men dressed alike. Some are clothed in the dress of Imperial regiments; others, who have had volunteer commands, are dressed in the particular uniform of their corps; numbers, again, have the khaki service uniform used in the South African campaign, while several of the sergeants and instructors have no uniform at all, but they will have to lind some sort of military dress to see them through the camp. The foundation of the new military scheme is to be laid here, and the success or failure of New Zealand’s attempt to introduce compulsory military training may be said to rely upon the present eamp. The men who have to carry out and administer the new .scheme, which is moulded on Lord Kitchener's report, are here, and if they are not turned out competent to administer their respective areas in a proper manner, the eamp will have been useless. The faet is recognised by all ranks, and they are shaping their course accordingly. The plan of instruction has not yet been disclosed, but the .first parade will take place at 8.30 to-morrow morning. The mounted branch has been separated from the infantry, although for a good

deal of the work they will be taken together. The following are the squads:-—’ “’A” Squad: Lieuts. J. Bosworth, B. Hay, Nutsford, W. Morrison, H. Glendining, l C. Spragg, H. Richardson, C. Powles, R. Matthews, W. Meddings, C. Hawkins, W. Turn bull, G. Banks; “B” Squad: Lieuts. W. Burgess, A. Morton, 11. Wheeler, F. Lampen, F.’ Hume, H. Robinson, C. Brown, G. King, W. Finnis, U. Andrews,' R. Fraser F. Hudson, C. Melville; “U” ■Squad: Staff-sergeants H. Dunham, Olney, R. Mooney, T. Lambert, W. Walker, S. Nicholls, Salt, MeGoun, Thatcher, W. Kerr A. Don, N. Cuff, Connolly; “D” Squad: Staff-sergeants Holden, West, E. Tingey, Hobbs, Woodward, J. Steele, J. Morrison, Grindell, Ryan, Moncrieff W. Steadman, W. Glanville, R, Davis, J. Stevenson, C. W’right, F. Swiney; “E”' Squad: All permanent staff instructors except W. Grant (Invercargill). Although some of the area officers have captain’s commissions, they all rank here as lieutenants, and they have, of course, discarded one of their stars. The pay to commence with is £250 a year, including £SO house allowance. Amongst the sergeant-instructors, there are several officers, but they have had to take off all their stars, and rank as if they had never earned them. This step is necessary, as all must start on

the same footing, promotion going by results alone. The men are in for a hard time of work and study, the best available material in the way of soldiers having been chosen. The following staff has been appointed: —Commandant, Colonel Heard, director of military training and education; assistant-commandant, Major Hughes '(late A.A.G., Nelson); camp adjutant, Captain Hamilton (A.D.C. to his Excellency the Governor); camp quartermaster, Captain H. H. Browne; headquarters’ staff instructional officers, Captain Chesney (A.A.G., Wellington) and Captain Duigan (instructor of field engineer services and signalling). The camp sergeant-major is Staff-Sergeant-Alajor Healey, of Timaru; and camp quartermaster-sergeant, Staff-Sergeant-Major Kibblewhite, of Oamaru. Lieuten-ant-Colonel Bey, of Greytown, is the camp medical officer. The musketry instructors will be Staff-Sergeant-Majors Hose and Henderson, of Wellington. On February 18 all officers commanding districts and all officers of the permanent forces will come into camp, when matters affecting a uniform system of training will be exhaustively dealt (with. A Decade of Australian Federation. The first decade of Australian Federation ended on Saturday, December 31, and the Federal Attorney-General (Mr. Hughes) took the opportunity to briefly review the situation. He said:—‘’Federation has certainly not failed in the chief object for which it was established. 1 refer to the creation of a national sentiment. There has been a fundamental change in public opinion on this question. Provincialism was rampant in 1000. Ten years ago men spoke and ■ thought of themselves as Victorians, New South Welshmen, Queenslanders. South Australians, West Australians, and Tasmanians, and rarely, if ever, Australians. To-day there exists a volume of healthy Australian sentiment. Th? judgment of the people is broader and saner. Federation lias allowed the spirit of nationalism to find expression, and the end of the first decade sees us with a body of laws which ensure the purity of our race, conservation, and the enormous development of native industries, broader and more practical conception of our national responsibilities and the establishment of an effective and yet democratic system of naval and military defence. “ Ten years ago the infant Australia was first wrapped in its swaddling clothes. To-day it is a sturdy boy, well nourished, healthy, and vigorous, with all the possibilities of magnificent manhood before it. We have left behind us what was a veritable economic tower of Babel. We were but a number of more or less discordant parts depending entirely for defence upon the Motherland, and content to do nothing ourselves, or to pay Great Britain adequately to protect us. We are indeed in another world to-day. An overwhelming majority of the people accept Australian nationalism as the fundamental tenet of their creed. Curiously enough, many of those who bore the national banner in the Federal Campaign prior to 1900 have been transformed into frenzied advocates of State rights. “ The experience of the deeade,” concluded Mr. Hughes, “ has proved one fact

of great significance. It is that the constitutional instrument by which industrial progress has been achieved is structurally defective, and it is imperative if the Commonwealth is to stride on with a resolute air to its true destiny that the Constitution should be amended to enable Parliament to pass legislation to effectively regulate industry and control trusts, combines and monopolies.”