says that there are 9,338 burghers who have declared that they are opposed to the extension of the franchise.  Upon reference to the Report, he will find that there are only 1,564 opposed to the extension.  Members appear afraid to touch upon the real question at issue, but try to discredit the memorials by vague statements that some of the signatures are not genuine, and the former member for Johannesburg, Mr. J. Meyer, seems just as anxious to discredit the people of Johannesburg as formerly he was to defend them.

The CHAIRMAN advanced many arguments in favour of granting the franchise to the Uitlander, but nevertheless concluded by stating that as the Raad with few exceptions were against the extension, he would go with the majority.  He was not, he said, averse to the publication of Mr. Meyer’s proposition, because the country would have to decide upon it; still he could not favour the extension of the franchise in the face of what had been said during the debate.  Let the Raad endeavour to lighten the burden of the alien in other respects.  Let the alien come to the Raad with his grievances, and let the Raad give a patient ear unto him, but he really was not entitled to the franchise.

The PRESIDENT again counselled the Raad not to consent to the publication of Mr. Meyer’s proposal.  He did not want it put to the country.  This business had been repeated from year to year until he was tired of it.  And why should they worry and weary the burghers once more by asking them to decide upon Mr. Meyer’s motion?  There was no need for it.  There was no uncertainty about it.  The burghers knew their minds, and their will, which was supreme, was known.  The way was open for aliens to become burghers; let them follow that road and not try to jump over the wall.  They had the privilege of voting for the Second Raad if they became naturalized, and could vote for officials, and that was more than they could do in the Cape Colony.  In the Colony they could not vote for a President or any official.  They were all appointed.  They could only vote for Raad members there.  And why should they want more power here all at once?  What was the cause of all this commotion?  What were they clamouring for?  He knew.  They wanted to get leave to vote for members of the First Raad, which had the independence of the country under its control.  He had been told by these people that ’if you take us on the same van with you, we cannot overturn the van without hurting ourselves as well as you.’ ‘Ja,’ that was true, ‘maar,’ the PRESIDENT continued, they could pull away the reins and drive the van along a different route.

Mr. JEPPE, again speaking, said there was one matter he must refer to.  That was his Honour’s remarks about the petitioners, calling them disobedient and unfaithful.  The law compels no one to naturalize himself.  How then could these petitioners have disobeyed it?  Of course we should prefer them to naturalize.  But can we be surprised if they hesitate to do so?  Mr. Loveday has told you what naturalization means to them.