The debate on the annexation of the Transvaal on Tuesday
was a very poor one. Mr. Courtney's great points were that it was accomplished against the will of the people, which is only technically true, they having all submitted without resistance, and the Dutch officials having resumed their places ; and that we had incurred new and immense respon- sibilities which we had hitherto avoided, which is correct, but insufficient. Governments must often choose between evils, and the distinct decision of Parliament is that it is easier to govern all South Africa than a bit of it. Mr. O'Donnell's point, on the other hand, is that in annexing the country we violated treaties,—which would be an argument, if the Transvaal Govern- ment could have maintained itself, but that is precisely what it could not do. The liberty of the subject is the object of British laws, but that liberty is not violated when a man in a fit and only half-expostulating is taken to a hospital. Mr. Lowther gave the strongest assurances, assurances which satisfy the Dutch representatives, that in arranging the Government of the Transvaal the prepossessions of its people shall be consulted, and we believe the only evil result -will be a development in Natal of the idea that no independent Native State ought to remain,— an idea we strongly suspect to be a dangerous one. There is a residuum of Irreconcilables in every barbarous community, and a " Reservation" on which they can live their own life is a very useful addition to a civilised State. It is a modified India, not a New Zealand we have to legislate for in South Africa.
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