The Cape correspondent of the Times, in a telegram in
Thursday's paper, states that at a, meeting of the Opposition, a resolution was carried which, while admitting the distinguished public services of Sir Hercules Robinson, declared that in the existing circumstances the appointment was not advisable in the interests of South Africa. Mr. Innes, who supported the resolution, used the argument "that affairs in South Africa had reached a point at which it was impossible to say where finance ended and politics began." As we feared, the Opposi- tion regard the appointment as a party one. This is most disastrous. Our whole Colonial system is based on the appointment of Governors who stand high above all local and party considerations. The bad effect of the appoint- ment is further shown in a letter "from a Correspondent," also given in Thursday's Times, but dated Cape Town, March 6th. The writer uses the following very signi- ficant language:—" In a comparatively poor Colony like this, the vast wealth of the De Beers Company and of these financiers, which is freely used for political purposes, already exercises such a preponderating influence that it seems almost an act of folly to increase that influence by appointing a gentleman who has so fully identified himself with that Company." Hitherto, the Governor has been regarded as the Queen's impartial representative ; "but if this appoint- ment is not cancelled the new Governor will be regarded as the nominee of one of the political parties in the country."
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