The 1908-10 Campaign Against Incorporation Into South Africa (Part 4)

The limited franchise then enjoyed by non-whites in the Cape Colony was not to be extended to the other Provinces of the proposed Union. Elective offices at national level were, furthermore, reserved for those of “European descent.”

On the question of the Protectorates, the initial reluctance on the part of white South African political leaders to embrace Selbourne’s concept of a High Commission in which “His Majesty’s Government would have a veto on all obviously improper appointments”, coupled with their eagerness to consummate the Union of South Africa as soon as possible, played into the hands of the Basotho, Batswana and Amaswati. By December 1908 the Convention, along with the Colonial Office had accepted that any transfer would have to be delayed until after British Parliamentary approval of the Union of South Africa Act.