28 JANUARY 1905, Page 19

many interruptions, was more unfriendly than such meetings are wont

to be. He repudiated, in our view rightly, the idea, apparently held by the Opposition, that Governments were elected on a specific mandate for a specific task, and that when that task was over they should resign. Such a contention he described as a new and essentially vicious Constitutional doctrine. He then proceeded to defend the Education Act as the "charter of the future education of the country," and to argue that the Chinese Labour Ordinance had proved a success, had been accepted by South Africa, and could not be annulled without outraging Colonial feeling. The Opposi- tion might circulate what calumnies they pleased, but would not dare-to substantiate them when called to power.