NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THERE is no fresh news of importance from South Africa. It is known that the Transvaal Executive have received Mr. Chamberlain's proposals for a Joint Commis- sion of Inquiry into the practical effects of the new franchise law, but of what the reply is likely to be there were on Friday no rumours. It must not be supposed that the new Joint Commission will involve long and cumbrous proceedings. The intention is merely to arrive on the spot at an understanding as to what amount of immediate repre- sentation would be obtained by the Outlanders, and, if that representation is not sufficient, what modifications would make it so. But that is a matter which can easily be arrived at in four or five days. In this interval it is satis- factory to note that the firmness and moderation of the Government, and the wise and patriotic refusal of the Oppo- sition to play into the hands of the Boers, is having an excellent effect. People in South Africa are always apt to be haunted by the notion that the Imperial Government does not know its own mind, but happily they seem now to be realising that this time we mean what we say.
