A deputation representing a hundred thousand coloured people of the
Western Province waited upon Sir Alfred Milner this week, and offered to help in every way possible her Majesty's forces in the field. Sir Alfred Milner in reply, says the Times correspondent, declared that "not race or colour but civilisation was the test of men's capacity for political rights." As they were aware, he had done his best to secure fair treatment for coloured people in the Transvaal, and be would certainly do no less in the future—he hoped more effectively than was possible under the late Govern- ment. He appreciated their offers of assistance. "They could help in many ways, without taking arms ; they could, for instance, assist the military up country by giving infor- mation." Sir Alfred could not, of course, allow the natives to give aid in arms, but we are delighted to note the general tone of his remarks. The native question still remains the biggest of all South African questions, and also the question which is most difficult to handle.
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