IsiXhosa Intellectual Traditions (IsiXIT) Digital Archive

IT could hardly be supposed that Natives in Griqualand East were unconcerned spectators of the agitation that is going on among their white neighbours in connection with annexation to Natal. A correspondent, Native of course, referred to the matter in our Kafir correspondence columns last week. He informs us that there have been two great meetings held by the natives to consider the subject, which were unanimously opposed to annexation to Natal. Their argument is that old Adam Kok was removed there by the Cape Government, and that Government has as yet done noth, ing to warrant them to clamour for annexation to Natal. They are somewhat puzzled by the passive attitude assumed by the Cape Government towards them in respect of this agitation. Inasmuch as this annexation movement has not been mooted by the Cape Government, they are not prepared to go over to Natal. If, however, the people argue, the movement has been started by the European population of Griqualand East, not much weight should be attached to it. As these Europeans have come from Natal, it is natural that their leaning should be towards Natal. The Natives sav it is a singular thing that people having migrated into a country should now try to carry the land away to the Government from which, they came. THE following document agreed upon by influential Natives in meeting assembled, has been handed in to us for publication. We translate it for tho benefit of our English readers : ' We are thankful to the Lower House of Parliament for the decision arrived at in regard to the Pass Bill, and for the speeches which appeared in Native Opinion. We specially thank Sir Thomas Scanleu, Mr. Sauer, Mr. Leonard, and Mr. De Wet for their sympathetic speeches on the occasion of the withdrawal of the Pass Bill. We see that these gentlemen can sympathise with persons belonging to alien nations who serve under them. Sir T. Scanlen has trnlv said that the Pass Law withdrawn was akin to slavery, and was un. becoming a civilized Government. We see that these gentlemen have very clear minds to discern a good thing from an evil one; for they see that the Pass does not do away with stock-stealing. The thieves do not care for a pass. They drive cattle at night, and in the day-time they mix with other people at home while they have allowed cattle to graze somewhere in the fields. In fact, thieves require no Pass; it is simplv a trouble to honest people. We cannot but think that the person who originated the I idea of the Pass must have been induced by Satan, the enemy of all good people, so that upright Natives might be harassed and oppressed, for they for the most, part travel by day. As Mr. Sauer observed in would have been impossible for a person to carry a piece of Government paper alwavs. All Natives would have been doomed for the prison. Native Ministers, teachers, farmers and other well-to-do Natives would have found it most difficult to comply with such a law. We are much obliged to the gentlemen who have freed us from slavery. We sincerely pray that the matter of the pass may never be mooted again. We cannot but regret the course followed by Mr. Bowker, Mr. Me'irant and Mr. William Ayliff, who appear to favour so harsh a law for the Natives. We are especially disappointed to see Mr. William Ayliff, the son of our most respected missionary, the late Rev. John Ayliff, among the champions of the Pass for us. Perhaps these gentlemen are not aware that the farms belonging to Dutch farmers cannot be visited by Natives whether they have or have not passes. Only farmers' servants and thieves frequent them, and the latter visit them in the night. The Pass then is simply an instrument of oppression intended for the honest Natives. We are sorry to see the Dutch farmers so much opposed to the Natives. In regard to the Pass as a means of checking stealing, Mr. Ebden has correctly stated that thieving exists everywhere. A European stole a horse at Stutterheim, and was arrested at Seymour. A white man Stole oxen at East London and they were recovered at King William's Town. Another white man stole six oxen from a Native named Bangani, of Fort Peddie, and sold them here in King William's Town. What is being done savours much of what was done to us in connection with our guns. That people who have served Government for so long should still be proceeded against in this fashion causes much grief to us. We agree with Native Opinion that Government should ask us in connection with the best means of repressing stock-stealing. The Government of the Queen is not a tyrannical but a humane Government, and we doubt if the Queen knows what is being done.—We are, THE NATIVES. PARLIAMENT has refused to vote the £320 placed on the estimates for Buntingville in Pondoland on the ground that it was beyond the Colonial Border. The placing of the amount on the estimates clearly shows that some promise must have been made to the Rev. J. Morris on behalf of the Government, and Government must have given colour to it that the amount, which is wanted to assist in the payment of salaries only, would be granted. Here comes in the comical part of the business. The Government, after thus raising false hopes, suddenly ran away from their guns, and left Sir Thomas Scanlen, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Innes, Mr. Walker, Mr. Lewis, and even Mr. Barry to defend the vote. That the managers of the Kilner Institution will be placed in tremendous difficulties on account of this capricious step is all that we can expect. Mr. Morris has only to appeal to the charity of the busi¬ness people of this country to tide over his difficulties. We sincerely hope the friends of education will not be wanting at so critical a juncture. Correspondence. THE ' ALICE TIMES.' Kimberley, June 16, 1885. SIR,—A writer in the Alice Times of Friday the 29th of May last remarks 'Simultaneous to the starting of the Native newspaper, Tmvo, has risen among Native circles a class of educated or semi-educated young men—both Kafirs and Fingoes, who aspire