mentally or morally fit to have a vote in the affairs of white people, and the conviction that extension of the privilege would eventually lead to organizations upon race lines after a period during which the aboriginal voters might first serve as a prey to parties and party politics, and then by sheer numbers secure the balance of political power. The prospect of such a situation is construed as intolerable by European South Africa, and, so long as that prospect is in view, the education, the advance, and general interests of the natives suffer prejudice.
Of the alternatives suggested, a certain class inclines to the imposition of a higher franchise. But that could only be a temporary shift, to be brushed away abruptly.
To the Commission, as appears from the Report, the question appealed as one of great moment, demanding resolute treatment. The solution it offered took the form of a recommendation to institute in each of the self-governing Colonies, whether they enjoyed any existing form of representation or not, a uniform system providing for separate voting, by native electors only, for a fixed and adequate number of representative members. By such a system it was, inter alia, contended that as a result the natives throughout South Africa would gain a uniform political status; racial strife would be minimized, if not averted; questions affecting their betterment would be freed from considerations of consequent increase in their political power, and from resulting hostility to measures conducive to their progress. It was felt that this could be done without menace to the supremacy of the ruling race.
The proposals of the Commission have been challenged by South Africans of influence, who, with a full desire to do justice to the natives and further their interests in every way, are impressed with the conviction that the cause cannot be usefully served—may, indeed, be frustrated—by giving them direct representation in any form in the elected assemblies. The case of India is cited as an example where the necessity of retaining
