Let me remind you of
another fact, which the Cape Colonist well knows--that when the
Imperial Government wished, from wise motives of economy, to extend
the Cape system of railways to Kimberley, at a time when the Cape
Ministers were not prepared to carry out the extension, the British
Parliament advanced a loan of L400,000, at a low rate of interest,
for that object. Another instance I could quote, in connection with
the history of that interesting native territory--Basutoland. You
remember how that country was handed over to the Cape Colonists,
and that for various reasons the management of the Basutos got
beyond their power, the result being that the Imperial Government
went to the aid of the Cape Colony and took back Basutoland. I
mention these cases because they illustrate an aspect of affairs
which is, I think, apt to be neglected. We at home--and certainly
those who have enjoyed the kind hospitality of their brethren in
South Africa--wish to do all we can to aid our fellow-countrymen in
that part of the globe. We do not wish to interfere, and I should
like to see this put forward as the grand and final policy of South
Africa--that we are ready to aid that portion of the Empire, but
set our faces against interference.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133