Sir Arthur Lawley, the Lieutenant-Governor of the Trans- vaal, made
a speech at Johannesburg on Monday which should have a good effect in allaying the uneasiness which is felt both in this country and in South Africa about Transvaal affairs. He defended the Administration against the charge of extravagance, and at the same time urged the necessity for reproductive expenditure. "The Government would be assuming a craven attitude if, because of the temporary depression, it hesitated to develop to the full the resources with which the country was so lavishly gifted," provided that such development did not cripple other work of equal importance. He announced that in the opinion of the Government the time had come for a still further reduction of the South African Constabulary. Dealing with the question of the mining industry, Sir Arthur Lawley declared that it was not only a capitalists' question, but one vital to the future of the country. "Two points might be taken for granted : legisla- tion for the importation of labour would only be introduced if the Council were convinced that it was essential in the interests of the country and in accordance with the wishes of the people ; and secondly, no legislation would be passed which did not ensure the certain repatriation of indentured labour."
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