NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE Volksraad of the Transvaal on October 25th ratified the Convention by an unanimous vote. The majority inserted in the motion for ratification a clause declaring that they relied upon the British Government to modify the terms, if they were found to be unworkable, and this is interpreted in some quarters as a covert threat that they shall not be worked. We 'have never upheld the Boers, but we do not thus read the declaration, the explanation of which we take to be this. The principal Boers, like the President of the Orange Free State, think the Convention reasonable, and intend to carry it .out, but had a difficulty in persuading the younger men, in- flated with the idea of victory in the field. The leaders know that time will bring prudence, and suggested, therefore, that any clause found impossible might be the basis of future nego- tiation. Having obtained their vote, they at once gave an earnest of sincerity by imposing heavy, indirect taxes, frontier duties, in fact, to pay the interest on the bonds. The Natal settlers, who have been supplying European goods at heavy profit, and who are greatly annoyed at the departure of the troops, do not like this at all ; but the Boers do not care, as they can do without almost anything but tea and powder. Such taxation is the old device of weak Governments, and is, under the circumstances, a proof of good, not of bad faith.
