Then we are told that—­“The country is prospering as it is.  Why change now?  The land is tranquil, people are regaining the prosperity which was lost in the war.  It is a pity to make a change now; now is not the moment.”  I admit the premise, but I draw exactly the opposite conclusion.  It is just for that reason that we should now step forward and, taking occasion by the hand, make an advance in the system of government.  How often in the history of nations has the golden opportunity been allowed to slip away!  How often have rulers and Governments been forced to make in foul weather the very journey which they have refused to make prosperously in fair weather!

Then we are told that Imperial interests will be endangered by this grant.  I do not believe that that is so.  The Boer mind moves by definite steps from one political conception to another.  I believe they have definitely abandoned their old ambition of creating in South Africa a United States independent of the British Crown, and have accepted that other political ideal which is represented by the Dominion of Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia.  At any rate, no people have a greater right to claim respect on the ground of their loyal adherence to treaty engagements than the people of the Orange River Colony; for every one knows that it was with a most faithful adherence to their engagements, with almost Quixotic loyalty, that they followed—­many of them knowing where their fortune was going to lead them, knowing full well what would be the result of their action—­their sister State into the disastrous struggle of the South African war.

It is quite true that there is in existence at the present time—­and I think Lord Milner has pointed it out—­no bond of love between the men who fought us in that war and this country.  I was reading the other day a speech by Mr. Steyn.  Mr. Steyn is, of course, one of the most clearly avowed opponents of the British power.  But Mr. Steyn is quite clear upon this point.  He says there is no bond of love, and it would be untruthful and dishonest on their part to say that such a bond existed.  But, he says, there is another bond; there is such a thing as a man’s word of honour.  “We gave our word of honour at Vereeniging, and it is our intention to abide strictly by that.”  I state my opinion as to the safety of the step we propose to take, but I cannot expect the Members opposite to set much store by that, although it is an honest and sincere opinion.  But I will quote them an authority which I am sure they will not dismiss without respect.  As soon as the right hon.  Member for West Birmingham returned from South Africa, while his experiences in that country were fresh in his mind, while he had but newly been conversing with men of all parties there on the spot, the scene of the struggle, he made a speech in this House which really ought not to be overlooked by persons dealing with this question.