r'RESIDENT S ALDRESS. 3 I 



and it is simply courting disaster to think of converting them into 

 prosperous settlers ; but it is t)ur duty to try to save the younger 

 generation. 



The settlement of " poor whites " in connection with affores- 

 tation is in acti^'e operation at George and French Hoek, where 

 provision has been made for lOO and 150 cottages respectivelv. 

 the ultimate object being to provide for 400 families. In addition, 

 4,200 poor whites are reported to be working on the railways. 



There is an observable tendency to regard every child as 

 a State asset, and to devote more attention to its well-being. At 

 the recent Conference at Capetown of the Child Welfare Com- 

 mittee, the Adayor of this town, Mr. Cltiver, who presided, made 

 an eloquent and forcible appeal to give children a better start 

 in life. In the Transvaal the parent has been relieved of many 

 parental functions. There we ha\-e free education and free 

 books, and at the larger centres we have school clinics, free 

 medical inspection, including free dentistry and s])ectacles when 

 required, and free meals in necessitous cases. There the matter 

 rests at present. 



Reference may also be made to the juvenile Advisory Boards, 

 formed about two years ago in the various large towns of tlie 

 Union to watch the career of the lads after leaving school, and 

 in an advisory capacity assist them into useful em])loyment. But 

 those interested in this movement must realise that it is impossible 

 for every boy leaving school to be converted into a skilled crafts- 

 man. A great proportion must spend their lives in unskilled, or 

 rather semi-skilled work. Education, especially if made more 

 practical and suitable, is of primary importance ; but that alone 

 will not solve the problem of the poor white and of unemployment. 

 Greater opportunities of employment are essential; the mines, 

 existing industries, land settlement, afforestation, etc., are not 

 sufficient. South Africa now meets its own requirements in 

 Portland cement ; the position must be extended in all directions. 

 A demand must be created for the " factory hand," and this is 

 one of South Africa's greatest needs. 



For the third time in succession the memljers of this Asso- 

 ciation meet in freedom and in comfort, notwithstanding the 

 most terrible and devastating war which the world has ever 

 known. Our good fortune is due. it is tmnecessary for me to 

 say, to our membership in the Great Common weath of Nations. 

 I wall not attempt to deal with after-war problems, but may be 

 permitted to quote the words of the British Premier in his speech 

 at the Guildhall, three months ago: "When, after the war, re- 

 construction begins, I hope, trust and pray that we are not going 

 to dive into the pigeon-holes of any party for dust-laden prece- 

 dents or programmes. Let us think out the best methods for 

 ourselves in face of the searching facts of which we knew nothing 

 before the war. We are a thousand years older and wiser since 

 the war. . . ." "And." he continued, " in no part of the 

 sphere of statesmanship is ihere greater need for revised ideas 



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