New-York tribune., 1906-08-01
BOERAND BRLTON EQUAL
NEW RULE IN TR4NST44L.
Mr.. Churchill ErpEaivas the Liberal
Policy IN South africa.

ronSon July Sl-In a speech OF great mod
cation. carefully designed to propitiate his on
~onents. winston Spencer churchill. Parlianoen-
ss-y Secretary OF the Colonial Office in the
House OF Commons this afternoon explained the
eovernnent's plans 10 confer constitution ON
,se Transvaal. Dwelling the urgency Of the
question. he described the Transvaal as the nerve
centre OF South Africa and said the new country
-s,rOduced in miniature all the dark ana tangled
croblems Of the old established European states
The governments guiding principle had been
20 treat BoeT and Briton alike, and 20 make no
distinction in granting the boon Of British citi-
zenship both TO the men who fought loyalty for
Great Britain and 10 those who resisted the
British arms with desperate courage. While the
government had been careful to secure for the
British every advantage they might Justly claim.
South Afrca's future depended on both races
learning 20 look TO the mother country as a
friend. The government decided for the prin-
ciple OF manhood suffrage against any property
qualification. Therefore. every adult male twen-
ty-one years old who had been resident six
months in South Africa. except members Of the
British garrison, would be entitled TO vote under
the secrecy ballot system. Proportional repre-
sentafion was not popular and incomprehensibIe
in the Transvaal, so 1t had been decided to go
straight for single member seats. In regard TO
electoral divisions. arguments existed both for
equal areas and the old magisterial districts
The Beers had expressed a strong desire 10 pre-
serve the latter. and 1t would save precious
time ana expense the delimitation Of the old dis
fEicts system was adopted.
The population Of the Rand, Mr. Churchill
continued. equalled that of the whole Of the rest
Of the country. and on the basis of the census OF
1909 il had been decided 10 alIot thirty-two
members TO the Rand one TO Krugersdorp, six
90 Pretoria and thirty to the rest of the Trans
wal Loyd Selborne. High Commissioner in
South Africa. had expressed the opinion that
this arrangement would be perfectly fair TO the
British vote. and he wished II to be known that
he agreed TO IT.
The Transvaal Assembly would consist OF six
ty-nine salaried members, elected for five years.
Either the British or Dutch language could be
used in the transaction of public business.
Mr.. Churchill declined to speculate on the out
come Of the elections. but said there were un-
doubtedly more British than Dutch voters He
hoped however. they would produce a coalition
government. Such a solution would be god
send to South Africa. though the Secretary was
confident that neither party would fail in its
duty toward the crown.
The speaker added that there would be an
express stipulation against sanctioning labor OF
servIe character. In conclusion he said that
tie governments proposals must be accepted or
rejected as a whole.
An animated debate followed Mr.. Churchill's
remarks. Among the speakers was Alfred
Lyitleton. former Colonial Secretary, who said
be thought the proposal premature, coming as
II did only four years after the war He con-
sidered the experiment hazardous.
Sir Gilbert Parker Conservative. contended
hat the government was gambling with the
administration OF the colony and taking upon
itself an almost terrible responsibility.
Mr.. Arnold-Forster Oiberal UniOnist), wanted
% know whether the governments course would
mean the losing OF South Africa
Mr. Balfour. winding up for the Unionists,
called the proposal a reckless and audacious eX-
pertinent He argued that IL was too near the
war 10 expect the Dutch to forget what they
had suffered. and more than human nature could
grant TO expect them TO be loyal to Great
Britain He said an explanation OF this hur-
ried procedure the governments burning
desire 70 get rid =. all its economic questions
IN South Africa which its rash pledges OF
general election had brought upon il.
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman. the Premier,
answering Mr.. BaIfour. said that never in the
course Of his Parliamentary career had he
listened TO more unworthy, mischievous and
unpatTiofic speech.
An exciting scene followed these remarks, the
Cnionists shouting Shame" Gag! Apolo-
gze." Withdraw" etc, but the chairman
promptly called division on the question Of the
Colonial Secretary's salary, which was carried
by & vote os 3ls to SO.
While this going on in the Commons,
Lord Elgin Secretary Of State for the Colonies,
had made the same statement in the House OF
Lords which Mr.. Churchill made in the House OF
Commons While Mr.. Churchill was praising
the new constitution, his cousin, the Duke Of
Marlborough, who was Colonial Under secretary
IN the former government, was denouncing il in
ihe upper house.
Lord Harris asked what flag would wave over
Pretoria twenty years hence
Lord Miner declared he saw a tragedy behind
The pTecipitancy Of the government, and mourned
thsf the future Of the Transvaal was TO be left
% chance
Lord Lsnsdowne said there was dread in the
minds OF most men that the Beers would gain
me upper hand in the elections, and then goodby
90 british