The great error of England appears to have been a strange neglect, from time to time, of the true interests of her South African subjects, English, Dutch, and Natives.  There have been in her management of this great Colony alternations of apathy and inaction, with interference which was sometimes unwise and hasty.  Some of her acts have been the result of ignorance, indifference, or superciliousness on the part of our rulers.

The special difficulties, however, in her position towards that Colony should be taken into account.

It has always been a question as to how far interference from Downing Street with the freedom of action of a Self-Governing Colony was wise or practicable.  In other instances, the exercise of great freedom of colonial self-government has had happy results, as in Canada and Australia.

Far from our South African policy having represented, as is believed by some, the self-assertion of a proud Imperialism, it has been the very opposite.

It seems evident that some of the greatest evils in the British government of South Africa have arisen from the frequent changes of Governors and Administrators there, concurrently with changes in the Government at home.  There have been Governors under whose influence and control all sections of the people, including the natives, have had a measure of peace and good government.  Such a Governor was Sir George Grey, of whose far-seeing provisions for the welfare of all classes many effects last to this day.

The nature of the work undertaken, and to a great extent done, by Sir George Grey and those of his successors who followed his example, was concisely described by an able local historian in 1877:—­“The aim of the Colonial Government since 1855,” he said, “has been to establish and maintain peace, to diffuse civilization and Christianity, and to establish society on the basis of individual property and personal industry.  The agencies employed are the magistrate, the missionary, the school-master, and the trader.”  Of the years dating from the commencement of Sir George Grey’s administration, it was thus reported:—­“During this time peace has been uninterruptedly enjoyed within British frontiers.  The natives have been treated in all respects with justice and consideration.  Large tracts of the richest land are expressly set apart for them under the name of ‘reserves’ and ‘locations.’  The greater part of them live in these locations, under the superintendence of European magistrates or missionaries.  As a whole, they are now enjoying far greater comfort and prosperity than they ever did in their normal state of barbaric independence and perpetually recurring tribal wars, before coming into contact with Europeans.  The advantages and value of British rule have of late years struck root in the native mind over an immense portion of South Africa.  They believe that it is a protection from external encroachment, and that only under the aegis of the Government can they be secure and enjoy peace and prosperity.  Influenced by this feeling, several tribes beyond the colonial boundaries are now eager to be brought within the pale of civilized authority, and ere long, it is hoped, Her Majesty’s sovereignty will be extended over fresh territories, with the full and free consent of the chiefs and tribes inhabiting them."[5]