THE NATIVE QUESTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
By SIR GODFREY LAGDEN, K.C.M.G.,
The year 1905 has seen the position of the Native Question in South Africa brought up to date in the recent publication of a Report by an Interterritorial Commission representative of all the Colonies and Protectorates in South Africa.
The terms of reference to the Commission were wide and comprehensive. The Report itself was exhaustive in general, and, if conclusions were not in all cases finally drawn, the reason may be attributed, not so much to the lack of initiative on the part of the Commission itself, as to the complexity of the question, the divergence of views and conditions in the various Colonies, and the impracticability of urging changes and reforms suitable in one sphere, but manifestly impossible for constitutional reasons in others. The appointment of the Commission was inspired by the desire to marshal facts, to ascertain the true state of affairs affecting the natives, and to promote a common understanding upon native policy. Though the hope was cherished that advantage would result, it was always apparent that no absolute uniformity could be attained without sacrifice of conviction on vital points, which it was neither reasonable to expect nor expedient to demand. The most optimistic realized that uniformity in laws and administration can only be arrived at by stages
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