IsiXhosa Intellectual Traditions (IsiXIT) Digital Archive

IT is being constantly remarked that the natives are children, and must he treated as such. We do not object to this observation, provided it does not mean that they are the only children in the world ; and that the only instruction children have a right to receive is correction with a rod, a sjambok, or a gun. When a man says ' This is my child,' he, in those same words, virtually admits the obligation he is under to train that infant up to manhood And when the State, through its representatives declares that the natives are child-ren, it also, and as clearly, affirms its duty, which is—to use all rea- sonable diligence in developing them up to man's estate. We are not unmindful of the efforts put forth at considerable cost to instruct the natives in elementary, and in Higher branches of learning, and we believe that the public schools have done, and are doing, very good work indeed. But we realise that something more is required. The natives of this country were originally a pastoral people, and since the days of the Kafir HIAWATHA they have been agriculturists, in so far that they have grown mealies. More recently pumpkins have been reared, and within the last few years not a few have grown peas, and beans, and potatoes, and wheat, and forage. The English colonists—who, of course, are men—are, we see, urging upon the Government the necessity for the creation of an Agricultural Department to instruct them how to farm. How much more shall the natives not ask for the same thing ? The Kafir men love their cattle, the Kafir women are happy in their cornfields, and yet the cattle owner does not know much about the science of stock- breeding, and the native women know less about the art of getting the most grain out of their lands. We do not see why a paternal Government should not say to its native children, You must do 'certain things.' Some years ago a most intelligent English farmer went to the natives living near him and said, ' If all the men in this ' location will do the work, I will ' indicate a spot where I believe ' sufficient water will be found to a irrigate enough land for your ' wants, and I will direct the work ' for nothing.' The farmer had no personal advantage in view, but the people said 'No.' and for years they have been in a position of extreme poverty, and lately of beggary. Why in such a case as this should not the Government make the men do such a work ? Why should not wells be sunk, springs opened, dams made, on every location, by the free labour of the people ? And what objection can there be to instructing the natives in the best method of growing mealies and Kafir corn, and of securing other crops as well; and to making diligence in cultivating the soil one of the conditions of holding it ? We cannot think of any sound objection that can be raised, though some of these native 'children' might object to be set to work. Some old customs would have to be surrendered. 1'he gardens instead of being dotted all over the country might have to be placed side by side, the cattle would have to be kept out of these gardens all the year round, and perhaps the number of stock limited; but the people would soon discover the advantage of this, and the country be benefitted. So too with stock. The people could be taught about the ordinary diseases, and shown the proper remedies; and they might also be instructed about the best breeds of cattle and sheep, the cause and cure of scab, and the connection between the grass on the hillside and the price wool realizes in London. We do not ask for any very elaborate machinery In one district an experiment might be made ; a practical gentleman in sympathy with the natives could be secured at a moderate salary, and if he were supported with the necessary authority, we believe natives in other parts of the country would soon ask for more such missionaries.