THE SOUTH AFRICAN PROTECTORATES
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sin,—Mr. Frank Melland, in his letter to The Spectator published on May 11th, on the subject of the South African Protector- ates, states that " the Union Government's policy has pro; gressed infinitely further of late in the right direction than we have in these three territories," also that "the Union-Govern- ment's policy is changing rapidly and steadily," apparently also for the better as regards the position of the native.
Would Mr. Melland kindly specify a few definite ways and concrete things in which this improvement in the Union Government's policy is manifest ? The natives of South Africa, though brought to a terrible impasse by the white man's restrictive employment policy, are still expected to do impossibilities on a starvation diet while thousands of pounds are being voted by the government towards the relief of " poor whites " (in other words, backvelders of mainly Mitch origin) who owe their position chiefly to their own inherent laziness and lack of endeavour.
The Government native boycott still continues. Further means are being taken in the Union Parliament to deprive the native of any remunerative work for which he may be- fitted, and what can only be egarded. as 'Monetary bribes are openly offered to farmers and industrialists who will ;disc charge natives and employ white people in their place. 't6 quote from the Union Minister of Labour at a recently `held Parliamentary meeting, " If you " (South African Indust-thin( ists) " employ European labour at double the cost of Native labour I shall make OA the difference on the outlay." And when asked ibere the =native was to go eventually, the Minister replied'thal there was ample work on the Mines., So there is; but the 'mine fahOurer returns to his kraal with consumption as his chief .guerdon for Work and a .lively knowledge of the white man's vices. . Is any improvement perceptible in all this ? The native is a tax-payer as well as the white man and entitled to a share of justice and a place in the sun. Why should not the native be free to choose his work as he. pleases ? He is not officially recognized, in South Africa as the white man's slave.—I am, Sir, &c., P. A. BANKES. 8 Hill Road, St. John's IVood.
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