The electoral campaign is now in full swing in the
Trans- van], and the omens seem to point to some curious results. On Friday week Sir George Farrar delivered a speech to his constituents in which, while advocating the loyal acceptance of the Constitution until they could get it altered, he declared that the policy of his party would be to have no restrictions placed upon the will of the Transvaal people, and to demand the re-enactment of the Labour Importation Ordinance until such time as the supply of native labour became adequate. The Dutch Party have shown a tendency to adopt the same line, Mr. Smuts declaring last week that the departure of the Chinese would depend upon the increase of the native supply. It looks as if he and his followers were anxious to make a "deal" with the Progressives. If things go on as they are at present, we take it that Het Volk and the Nationalist Party combined will have a majority, and will naturally be called on to form a Government. But there are signs that the Dutch leaders, dreading the odium which will attach to the new Ministry if times continue bad, just as in the past it has attached to Downing Street, will try to play the Bond game, and choose the part of spectators. If they follow this course, we can only say that they will ruin their chances for good.
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