NEWS OF THE WEEK.
ON Thursday the Members of the new Transvaal Parlia- merit were sworn in. The ceremony, in accordance with Dutch tradition, took place on the balcony of the Government offices where Mr. Kruger used to assume office in view of the people. In his speech Lord Selborne said that the Govern- ment were resolved that the employment of Chinese in the mines should cease "at the earliest possible moment.' Very few indentures expire before August ; but the Government will then "take no steps to prevent repatriation" unless "an effective substitute" for Chinese labour has not already been provided. In any case, the Government will have time to consider the matter when Parliament reassembles in June, and in the meantime they desire to make no further state- ment. General Beyers was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on a strictly party vote. His speech of thanks was thoroughly loyal and fair-minded, and General Beyers, who has sometimes dealt in terms of racial animosity, evidently desires to follow the lead of General Botha. At the afternoon sitting the Asiatic Bill, which was recently vetoed by the Crown when passed as an Ordinance, was introduced, and was hurriedly passed through all its stages. It was then sent to the Legislative Council, which refused the request to accept it on the spot. It is to be noted that virtually all sections in the Legislative Assembly united in passing a measure which was vetoed at home because it did violence to our sense of responsibility for our Indian subjects. We cannot pretend to view this disregard of the interests of Indians without con- cern. Even if the Legislative Council maintains its right of independent judgment, a Constitutional struggle between the two Houses will not be a very happy beginning to the new era in the Transvaal.
