The Native Question in South Africa The Governor-General of South
Africa, at the opening of Parliament on January 17th, announced an early joint-sitting of both Houses to consider a Bill dealing with native representation. The question at issue will affect not only the franchise rights of the natives of the Cape Province but the whole native policy of South Africa, and will have repercussions on the rest of the continent. General Hertzog will require a two-thirds majority of the joint-sitting to pass his Bill. Without the help of his opponents he cannot command this majority, and it is therefore to be hoped that they will be firm. It is much to be regretted that General Smuts, whose great influence has always been exerted reasonably on behalf of the natives, should be absent from his country at this important juncture..