Mr. Hofmeyr and the Cape Franchise There is nothing to
be said for the Native Representa- tion Bill, which received its third reading in the South African Parliament on Monday, except that it is a little better than the Bill in its original form. It deprives the Cape natives of the franchise they have enjoyed for over seventy-five years and substitutes a travesty of repre- sentation which allows them to vote, on a separate elec- toral roll, for three white representatives in the House of Assembly. Such a measure reduces to a somewhat cynical farce the protests Union politicians have lately been making against the racial arrogance and intolerance of German National Socialism. Mr. J. H. Hofmeyr, Minister of the Interior, Education, and Public Health, showed a wisdom and courage which may be commended to other Union politicians in their handling of native questions in his statement that "whatever the political consequences to myself, I cannot support the Bill." Mr. Hofmeyr may have endangered—immediately though not ultimately—his brilliant political future by his action, but it does him the highest credit. He represents a broadminded and tolerant younger generation, both British and Dutch, of which more will be heard.
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