Lord Kimberley, we regret to see, is determined to adhere
to, the old lines in South Africa. On Thursday a strong deputa- tion waited on him, to urge that the British Government should. again assume the control of native affairs in Africa ; but he told them that while the Government could not interfere in the Basuto war, the withdrawal of self-government from the Cape was impossible, and that the Natal Government would carry out only the same policy of disarmament. If the Government took native affairs under its own control, it would have to main- tain a large body of troops, and even then to govern through the colony. He would not entertain the notion of governing Africa like India, for a moment. We were not more successful than the colonists in the native wars, and he believed that the colonists, when brought face to face with the burden of native questions, would feel their responsibility, and recognise that they were bound to bear it. We must not forget that the Basutos are in rebellion, and that her Majesty's Government are bound to acknowledge that fact, even if they send no troops. He doubted if Mr. Sprigg, the Cape Premier, had said that if no troops were sent the colonists could not be interfered with in their management of native affairs, and pointed to the successful management of native affairs in New Zealand and Canada. The New Zealand example does not prove that the Cape people will be just, any more than the Canadian example proves that Americans will be just. Lord Kimberley's speech only amounts to this,—that the Government will do nothing, and that the Colonists are to do as they please, subject to the right of the Colonial Office to give them good advice. How long will that policy hold good, after the Cape has demanded the assistance of six regiments ?
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