146 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION E. 



stage, gauge the far-reaching effects of the change, for it goes, 

 clown to the very basis of the national organisation and 

 psychology, this substitution of Colonial Law for the native 

 law and custom, which is so deeply indebted to the power of 

 witchcraft for its faithful observance. This being so, we may 

 expect a general readjustment of native life, and thought, and 

 conduct, to the civilised standards of the European. Such an 

 adjustment implies the complete breaking down of native law 

 and custom, and the rearing up of a new edifice ; and since we 

 have already shown that native law and custom is indissolubly 

 bound up with the psychology of the native mind, the rudiments 

 of their religion, it is clear that such change will be fundamental 

 in character. The transition period, therefore, may well be 

 amongst the most difficult yet experienced in all the history of 

 our relations with the black man, a period which may well test 

 our patience and wisdom to the uttermost, during which the 

 native will not in the least understand — much less control — 'the 

 forces at work within himself. This statement of the case will 

 give an idea oif what progress will mean, and the cost is going 

 to be very great, for what I have stated follows inevitably upon 

 the introduction of Colonial Law into our Native Territories. 

 Already, by Supreme Court decision, all the laws of the Union 

 are applicable to the Transkeian Territories, without Proclama- 

 tion, a state of affairs which was distinctly not contemplated 

 by the Act of Union, and so impossible in its outworkings as 

 to require immediate legislation to reverse the position created 

 by the decision. But, in any case, without a complete reversal 

 of policy, which is in the last degree unlikely, the die is already 

 cast, and for good or bad we are definitely embarked upon this 

 change. 



At this point we find ourselves back again in the presence of 

 the most interesting question relating to the psychology of the 

 native. He has always been accustomed to act communistically, 

 and the idea is deeply ingrained into his nature. Now he must 

 launch out into the deep, and act as an individual according to 

 the li.o-ht of reason. For these acts he must take personal re- 

 sponsibilitv. and if he breaks the law he must be tried, according 

 to the technicalities of a law which he had no part i-n making, 

 and does not in the least understand. Is it iair and just of us to 

 expect so much? But there are other features in the situation. 

 Associated with the change in tenure we have further the estab- 

 lishment of District Councils, which give the people a large share 

 in managing their own local affairs. The General Council gives 

 them a wider interest in the affairs of the Territory. That pro- 

 gress has been more rapid in this diretcion is shown by the fact 

 that already 23 out of the ly districts have Councils. The link 

 connecting this development with the change in land tenure is 

 the provision made for the people to tax themselves, and for 

 the spending- of such revenue. This taxation does not in any 

 way affect the Government hut-tax. which is in any case col- 



