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The Past, Present, and Future Trade of the

change in their midst, and during the last two years ostriches have increased to a great extent in the Kalahari, and one or two enter prising people about Griqualand West have proposed, that instead of sending out to kill the ostriches, they should in future capture the young ones, and bring them in and herd them among the villages of Griqualand. If that is done, a most valuable industry will be created among the natives themselves. (Hear, hear.) To give you some idea of the way in which agriculture is carried on among the natives at the present time, I may mention that at one station alone in Griqualand West, towards the north, they were selling at the rate of one plough a day. The Bechuanas have been mentioned as being among the uncivilised races, but they have very far advanced towards civilisation. They have among them a Raad, whom the chiefs consult, in fact, something like a small House of Parliament, with each tribe; and I am under the impression that the Bechuanas would be the first native race to be thoroughly civilised, and that they have advanced greatly towards that end. (Cheers.) The matter which strikes one at first in visiting South Africa is the entire absence of manufactures among the natives; but that manufactures can be introduced I think there is no doubt. It is only necessary to look at the beautiful way in which the skins are sewn together to show the power of the natives in that direction, and those skins are sewn for the most part by the men. Also, if you examine the spears, and the assegais and other articles, you will see the workmanship is very beautiful, so that there is no doubt whatever that if the native races are induced to acquire the luxuries which to a great extent are the causes of manufactures among white people, that there will be a great trade in the future in the northern parts of South Africa. I can endorse what has been said with regard to the question of ploughs and the women, because I remember in one case where after the war the natives were transferred to another part of the country, they had no ploughs, and they were in great difficulty because the women refused to go into the fields to hoe the ground, having been accustomed so long to sit at home and let the men use the ploughs, and the men thought it degrading to go out, and I at last had to get some ploughs, so as to make a commencement, for I was afraid there would be a famine among them during the ensuing year. No doubt a vast change is taking place among the natives as to the treatment of women, and I ascribe this in a great measure to the good work that has been done by missionaries out there. The Rev. John Mackenzie has taught a large number of natives—I believe Khama was one of his pupils—and he has, through his care, elevated the minds of many