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NATIVE QUESTION IN SOUTH AFRICA

in good faith cannot be withdrawn during good behaviour. But the limit is reached.

Whether, then, in respect of land, or other points where racial impact is concerned, the rational policy in its initial stage is to facilitate the development of aboriginals on lines which do not merge too closely into European life, lest it lead to active enmity and stem the tide of healthy progress. Their advance cannot be stayed, but must be conducted under civilized guidance.

The chief factors that come into operation in the assisted evolution of aboriginals are just and firm treatment conducive to natural and healthy growth, educational help designed to fertilize that growth, and the establishment of auditories for the expression of grievances, and the generation of ideas upon which the superior race can base its policy for promoting welfare and encouraging improvement. If these factors are to be properly and usefully employed as a means to an end, success can only be achieved by the continued maintenance between the two races of mutual confidence and sympathy. Anything partaking of reluctance, through fear of consequences on the part of the superior race to lend itself to the elevation of the inferior, must tend to disturb the process and defeat the purpose. Precisely as children fear and dislike their teachers whilst under necessary discipline, so the aboriginal races must be expected to cherish the same emotions whilst under tutelage. It is manifested by them in various forms, such as in subtle ebullitions of violence or in sullenness. It is a phase of education, and not unnatural in the sequence of cause and effect. It is emphatically necessary to avoid, as far as possible, any course calculated to produce social antipathy between the races, and to shun ill-timed philanthropy, which is fruitful of trouble and saps the foundations of safe and sure progress.

From the early condition of the aboriginals, outlined in a previous page, to their present status is a considerable step. Under paternal Government and civilized guidance they have increased rapidly in numbers,