Extracts from the Published Reports.
1889.
May 8.—On the application of the Sheba G. M. Co. for permission to
erect an aërial tram from the mine to the mill,
Mr. GROBLAAR asked whether an aërial tram was a balloon or whether it
could fly through the air.
The only objection that the Chairman had to urge against granting the
tram was that the Company had an English name, and that with so many Dutch
ones available.
Mr. TALJAARD objected to the word 'participeeren' (participate) as not
being Dutch, and to him unintelligible: 'I can't believe the word is Dutch;
why have I never come across it in the Bible if it is?'
June 18.—On the application for a concession to treat tailings,
Mr. TALJAARD wished to know if the words 'pyrites' and 'concentrates'
could not be translated into the Dutch language. He could not understand
what it meant. He had gone to night-school as long as he had been in
Pretoria, and even now he could not explain everything to his burghers. He
thought it a shame that big hills should be made on ground under which there
might be rich reefs, and which in future might be required for a market or
outspan. He would support the recommendation on condition that the name of
the quartz should be translated into Dutch, as there might be more in this
than some of them imagined.
REDUCTION OF IMPORT DUTIES ON EATABLES.
June 20.—Mr. WOLMARANS said the diggers simply did not want to buy
from the Boers; there was plenty of meat and bread in the land, and the
Boers could not get good prices for their cattle.
Mr. VAN HEERDEN could not see how the inhabitants of the State would
benefit in the least by lowering the tariff.
Messrs. LOMBAARD and WOLMARANS both declared that when duties were at
their highest groceries etc. were at their cheapest.
Mr. TALJAARD thought that members who were in favour of lowering the
tariff did not act for the benefit of the country.
1890.
May 29.—A discussion of considerable length took place on a
petition from burghers of Gatsrand, Potchefstroom district, praying that at
least two-thirds of the Government money now lying idle in the banks should
be given out to agriculturists as loans, and the remainder for other
purposes.
July 2.—His Honour was asked why he did not suppress all
sweepstakes and races.
The PRESIDENT said gambling and lotteries were in conflict with the Word
of God, but it was also the duty of man to have exercise and to exercise his
horses. For that reason an exception had been made in the Bill as to
horse-races, etc.
INCREASE OF OFFICIALS' SALARIES.
July 7.—The PRESIDENT supported the increase. He promised the
Raad—and he had done this before—that whenever there was a falling off in
the revenue, he would at once reduce the salaries. He had said this before,
and if members did not believe him let them call him a liar at once.
1891.
SECOND RAAD.
June 5.—Mr. ESSELEN objected to minutes not being full enough.
Mr. TALJAARD accused Mr. Esselen of insulting the Raad.
A discussion ensued on minutes, in which certain proposals which had been
rejected had not been incorporated. Several members said that the
incorporation of proposals that had been rejected would entail some members
being held up to the scorn of the public.
ESTIMATES.
June 24.—Two hundred vouchers were found to be missing from the
yearly accounts, and no explanation could be given. Also £13,000 had been
given on loan to the Boeren Winkel (Boer General Store—a private mercantile
venture).
July 27.—Mr. MARE maintained that the Public Works were badly
administered.
The PRESIDENT dashed down the papers in front of him and stalked out of
the Raad, after emphatically denying that money had been wasted.
July 27.—At the debate on the question of appointing a State
financier, who could among other things be held responsible for the
disappearance of vouchers, the Auditor-General said that he did not want an
official of that nature, who would be always snivelling about his books.
CLAUSE TWENTY-THREE OF THE GOLD LAW.
August 5.—The PRESIDENT said that owners of properties had quite
sufficient privileges already, and he did not want to give them more.
Mr. LOMBAARD said the Gold Fields wanted too much. The revenue from the
Gold Fields was already less than the expenditure. He was of opinion that
the best course would be to let the Gold Fields go to the devil and look
after themselves.
1892
SECOND RAAD.
May 6.—Protracted discussion arose on the Postal Report, the
Conservatives being opposed to erecting pillar-boxes in Pretoria on the
ground that they were extravagant and effeminate.
OOM DYLE (Mr. TALJAARD) said that he could not see why people wanted to
be always writing letters. He wrote none himself. In the days of his youth
he had written a letter, and had not been afraid to travel fifty miles and
more on horseback and by wagon to post it; and now people complained if they
had to go one mile.
FIRST RAAD.
May 21.—On the question of abolishing the post of Minute-Keeper to
the Executive the President fell into a passion with Mr. Loveday who thought
a Minute-Keeper unnecessary, and left the Raad in a temper.
June 13.—The PRESIDENT said the reason why he did not subsidize
some papers by giving them advertisements was that they did not defend the
Government. It was the rule everywhere to give advertisements to papers
which supported the Government.
PRESIDENT AND GENERAL.
July 21.—General JOUBERT tenders his resignation as Chairman of
the Chicago Exhibition Committee. He had written again and again to the
President and State Secretary for an intimation of the Government's
intention with regard to the amount on the Estimates, but his communications
were treated with silent contempt.
The PRESIDENT made a long speech, in which he said he felt great grief at
being thus falsely charged by the General, who was also a member of the
Executive. Still he would only bless those who spitefully used him and would
not blacken the General.
SECOND RAAD.
July 21.—After the resolution had been taken on Mr. Van Niekerk's
proposition regarding compensation for claims not yet worked out (Clause 60
of Gold Law), the PRESIDENT was still speaking, and objecting to the
recording of Van Niekerk's objection to the passing of the Gold Law Clause
Amendment, when Mr. ESSELEN called 'Order, Order!' several times.
The PRESIDENT said he was insulted by Mr. Esselen and would withdraw
unless he apologized.
The Raad adjourned, as Mr. Esselen refused.
FIRST RAAD.
LOCUST EXTERMINATION.
July 21.—Mr. Roos said locusts were a plague, as in the days of
King Pharaoh, sent by God, and the country would assuredly be loaded with
shame and obloquy if it tried to raise its hand against the mighty hand of
the Almighty.
Messrs. DECLERQ and STEENKAMP spoke in the same strain, quoting largely
from the Scriptures.
The CHAIRMAN related a true story of a man whose farm
was always spared by the locusts, until one day he caused some to be killed.
His farm was then devastated.
Mr. STOOP conjured the members not to constitute themselves terrestrial
gods and oppose the Almighty.
Mr. LUCAS MEYER raised a storm by ridiculing the arguments of the former
speakers, and comparing the locusts to beasts of prey which they destroyed.
Mr. LABUSCHAGNE was violent. He said the locusts were quite different
from beasts of prey. They were a special plague sent by God for their
sinfulness.
July 26.—Mr. DE BEER attacking the railways said they were already
beginning to eat the bitter fruits of them. He was thinking of trekking to
Damaraland, and his children would trek still further into the wilderness
out of the reach of the iron horse.
August 16.—Mr. DE BEER said he saw where all the opposition to
duties came from. It was English blood boiling to protect English
manufacture.
1893.
June 21.—A memorial was read from certain burghers of Waterberg
about children beating their parents, and praying that such children should
not be allowed to become officials of the State or sit in Volksraad!
Mr. DE BEER—the Member for Waterberg—who in the days of his hot youth is
said to have given his father a sound thrashing, and is the one aimed at by
the memorialists, denied all knowledge of the memorial.
CHARLESTOWN EXTENSION.
August 24.—Mr. WOLMARANS opposed the line, as it would compete
with the Delagoa Bay Railway, for which the State was responsible.
Mr. LE CLERQ maintained that the Cape Free State line was against the
interests of the burghers, as a tremendous number of cattle were brought
into the State from outside countries.
Mr. MALAN said he would never vote for this line.
Mr. ROOS referred to the sacred voice of the people, which he said was
against railways.
The extension was eventually approved of.
1894.
FIRST RAAD.
May 14.—A debate took place upon the clause that members should
appear in the House clad in broadcloth and having white neckties.
Mr. JAN DE BEER complained of the lack of uniformity in neckties. Some
wore a Tom Thumb variety, and others wore scarves. This was a state of
things to be deplored, and he considered that the Raad should put its foot
down and define the size and shape of neckties.
JAM CONCESSION.
August 28.—The PRESIDENT said he was against concessions generally
speaking, but there were cases where exceptions should be made. There was
for instance the Jam Concession. The manufacture of jam ought to be
protected.
REDUCTION OF POSTAGE FROM TWOPENCE TO
ONE PENNY THROUGHOUT THE REPUBLIC.
August 22.—Mr. WOLMARANS opposed the reduction, saying the Postal
Department would probably show a deficit at the end of the year. And besides
who would benefit? Certainly not the farmers.
Mr. LOMBAARD also was against the reduction.
Mr. DE LA REY said speculators could afford to pay the present rates of
postage, and as the reduction would only benefit the townspeople, let
matters remain unaltered. If he resided in a town and speculated he would be
able to pay twopence.
Mr. SCHUTTE said the Postal Department was run at a loss at present, and
if they further reduced the tariff things would go very badly with them.
Reduction rejected, 13 to 9.
INCREASE OF REPRESENTATION.
September 6.—The PRESIDENT throughout the debate maintained that
there was no advantage to be gained by increased representation, and that
business could be more quickly transacted with a small number of members. He
disagreed with those members who wished to give big towns representatives as
the Raad would be swamped with town members.
After the rejection of various proposals the PRESIDENT rose and pointed
out it would mean ruination to the country if the Raad resolved to increase
the number of the members, and amidst some confusion he left, declining to
occupy the Presidential chair, muttering that the Raad was large enough
already and if it were increased it would be a shame.
EDUCATION QUESTION.
September 7.—The Committee reported that a number of memorials had
been received, praying that more hours weekly should be devoted to the
English language. Counter memorials had also been received. The Committee
advised the Raad not to grant the request of more hours for English.
Mr. LOMBAARD thought the Raad was bound to refuse the request, and it
would be useless to discuss the matter.
Mr. DE BEER could see no harm in granting the request, in fact it was
their duty to do so.
Mr. SPIES considered there was no necessity to teach English in the
State. Trade did not require it, and they could get on very well without
English. Let the English remain in their own country.
The PRESIDENT was opposed to extending the hours. He did not object to
English being taught, but then it must not interfere with the language of
the country to the prejudice of the latter language. He had schools upon his
farm, and parents objected to their children being taught English in those
schools. After a very little while they could write English as well as or
better than their own language, and neglected Dutch for English. The
Dutch language could not be maintained against English in competition.
Mr. WOLMARANS also spoke against the English language saying that if they
went through the list of those who had signed the memorial for the
annexation of the Transvaal by the English, they would find without
exception that those who signed were English-speaking. He
was against children being taught English so early, as when they were taught
young their minds became poisoned with English views.
Mr. OTTO agreed with the spirit of the Committee's report. This was a
Dutch country, with Dutch laws, and why should they be asked to exchange the
Dutch language for the English? What had the English done for the country
that this should be asked?
The CHAIRMAN thought many members made too much of the English language
already. One language was sufficient, and if a man was properly educated in
his own tongue that should suffice.
Mr. LE CLERQ and Mr. PRINSLOO both cautioned the Raad against foreign
languages in their schools.
Mr. LOVEDAY pointed out the absurdity of saying that the National
Independence depended upon one language only being used, and pointed to the
American and Swiss Republics as examples.
Mr. LOMBAARD in the course of a violent speech said those people who
wanted English taught in the State-aided schools were aiming at the
independence of the State. They wanted to bring dissension in the midst of
the burghers by teaching new and wrong ideas, and they became indignant
because the burghers would not allow it. He was ashamed that members should
argue in favour of injuring their independence: English should not be taught
in the State-aided schools.
The law remained unaltered by 12 to 10.
1895.
July 26.—The matter of purchasing diamond drills cropping up, the
PRESIDENT said it was true that the two industries mining and agriculture
went hand in hand, but it must be remembered that every fresh goldfield
opened meant a fresh stream of people and extra expenses. He hoped the Raad
would excuse him referring to it, but the Raad took away the revenue and
still asked for money. There was the reduction of postage; now it was asked
to spend money on boring machines, when each new field meant so much extra
expense. Machines for water boring were cheap and not fitted with diamonds
like those for mining, which required to be handled by experts. It must be
remembered that money voted for agricultural purposes was spent here, while
for the gold industry it was sent away. The Raad must be careful how the
money was voted.
FIRST RAAD.
FIRING AT THE CLOUDS TO BRING DOWN RAIN CONSIDERED
IMPIOUS.
August 5.—A memorial was read from Krugersdorp praying that the
Raad would pass a law to prohibit the sending up of bombs into the clouds to
bring down rain, as it was a defiance of God and would most likely bring
down a visitation from the Almighty.
The Memorial Committee reported that they disapproved of such a thing,
but at the same time they did not consider they could make a law on the
subject.
Mr. A.D. WOLMARANS said he was astonished at this advice, and he expected
better from the Commission. If one of their children fired towards the
clouds with a revolver they would thrash him. Why should they permit people
to mock at the Almighty in this manner? It was terrible
to contemplate. He hoped that the Raad would take steps to prevent such
things happening.
The CHAIRMAN (who is also a member of the Memorial Commission) said the
Commission thought that such things were only done for a wager.
Mr. ERASMUS said they were not done for a wager but in real earnest.
People at Johannesburg actually thought that they could bring down the rain
from the clouds by firing cannons at them.
Mr. JAN MEYER said such things were actually done in Johannesburg. Last
year during the drought men were engaged to send charges of dynamite into
the clouds. They fired from the Wanderers' Ground and from elsewhere, but
without result. Then some one went to Germiston and fired at a passing
cloud; but there was no rain. The cloud sailed away, and the heavens became
clear and beautifully blue. He had reported the matter to the Government.
Mr. DU TOIT (Carolina) said he had heard that there were companies in
Europe which employed numbers of men to do nothing but shoot at the clouds
simply to bring down rain. It was wonderful that men could think of doing
such things; they ought to be prohibited here. He did not consider that the
Raad would be justified in passing a law on the subject, however; but he
thought all the same that they should express their strongest disapproval of
such practices.
Mr. BIRKENSTOCK ridiculed the idea of people forcing rain from the
clouds. In some of the Kaffir countries they had witch-doctors who tried to
bring down rain; whether they succeeded or not was a different matter.
Still, if people were foolish enough to try and force the clouds to
discharge rain, the Legislature ought not to interfere to prevent them. He
did not agree with the idea of firing at the clouds, but did not consider
that an Act should be passed to prevent it.
The CHAIRMAN said if such things were actually done—and he was unaware of
it—those who did it ought to be prevented from repeating it.
After a further discussion, Mr. A.D. WOLMARANS moved: 'That this Raad,
considering the memorial now on the Order, resolves to agree with the same,
and instructs the Government to take the necessary steps to prevent a
repetition of the occurrences referred to.'
SECOND RAAD.
BARMAIDS.
The article for the abolition of barmaids was dealt with.
Mr. WATKINS declared himself strongly against such an article. He could
not see why females should be prevented from dispensing liquor. Such a
clause would prevent many respectable young women from making a living.
Mr. PRETORIUS said there were many memorials on this subject, and in
compliance with the wish expressed therein the article was inserted in the
Liquor Law. Of course, it was for the Raad to decide.
Mr. RENSBURG spoke strongly against the clause. According to it the
proprietor's wife would be prevented from going behind the counter. He would
not deny that there were some barmaids who were not strictly virtuous, but
to accuse them as a class of being dangerous was going
too far. Many of the memorials were signed by women. These memorials were
drawn by men whom he considered were hypocrites, and they ought to be
ashamed of themselves for their narrow-mindedness.
Mr. VAN STADEN said he did not like to take the bread out of the mouths
of a great many women.
Mr. KOENIG suggested that they could become chambermaids.
