There is, in our opinion, a great deal to be
said for Mr. Rhodes's scheme, and we trust that it will be most carefully considered. In our view, the money required, whether in the sums desired by Mr. Rhodes or in smaller amounts, could not be better spent, and would certainly prove economical expen- diture from the political point of view. We are not sure also whether it would not be financially economical as well. We should suggest, however, that the plantation when made should be arranged in small groups, and not in isolated cases. If a group of five families are put down together they Will be able to help each other, and to hold their own socially with their Dutch neighbours. An isolated settler, on the other hand, is likely to be swamped. Again, in the case of settlement by groups, the groups could be made to insure each other in the matter of payment of interest on the loans. We have one other suggestion to make. If so large a sum as 24,000 is lent, might it not be a condition that each selected settler should employ one British emigrant on his farm ? That would materially increase the number of British rural inhabitants.
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