South Africa

The Parliament of the Union of South Africa rejected a bill for the enfranchisement of women by one vote. The count for the noes was 56, and for the ayes 55.

The following remarks were uttered during the discussion: Mr. Nicholls, member for Zululand: "Here in South Africa we are not a democracy; we are an aristocracy of the white race, established on the continent by force of arms. Women councillors have never been allowed by the natives, and I am sure that we shall greatly weaken our rule in the eyes of the native if we allow women to take part in our councils." General Byron, referring to the argument that women belong to the home and their husbands: "Men who talk like that are usually men who have had everything done for them by women when they were young, and have grown up to look upon them as reliable unpaid upper servants. Women are certainly different, but they are not inferior."

In introducing the budget into the Parliament, Henry Burton, Minister of Finance, stated that the Union was faced with a deficit of -L-1,353,000. He added, however, that the worst of the hard times through which South Africa had passed was over.

Some budget proposals: New taxation on patent medicines and per- fumes; tooth paste and face powders exempted. Embargo on boots and shoes to be removed, but duties to be increased. Tax on matches to be doubled. Salaries of civil servants to be reduced.