From Protest to Challenge: A Documentary History of African Politics in South Africa 1882-1964: Part One - Africans United under the Threat of Disenfranchisement 1935

Documents: The Minister thanked the Conference and withdrew


DOCUMENT 43b. Proceedings and Resolutions of the National European-Bantu Conference, July 1933 [Extracts] (Published in Report of the Fifth  National  European-Bantu Conference)

After the tea interval, the Conference considered:--

Urban Areas Administration

Mr. W. G. A. Mears, Chairman of the Native Advisory Board, Cape Town, read his paper on "Urban Conditions with special reference to the Urban Areas Act and Municipal Administration." He explained how the Urban Areas had grown up and the difficulties the growth of these areas created. The Urban Areas Act was passed to deal with these difficulties. He indicated the difficulties which still exist and he criticised the housing clauses and the financial burden placed on the Native. Other matters dealt with by Mr. Mears were:

Location superintendents and their work, Advisory Boards, the brewing of beer, educa­tion, pensions for Natives, and the Native Revenue Account.

Mr. R. H. Godio, ex-president of the Congress of Advisory Boards, read a paper on Urban Native Conditions. The speaker gave an account of the urbanisation of the Natives at East London and the reasons which lead Natives to enter such areas. The difficulties we now have to face are partly due to the fact that each municipality deals with the matter in a different way. A condition of overcrowding without proper sanitation leads to the increase of tuberculosis and other diseases. The speaker looked upon the Urban Areas Act as a boon to the Native, giving him for the first time some semblance of a status.

After showing the great value of the Act, Mr.Godlo criticised the clause dealing with the powers of Advisory Boards, which were not determined by the Act, and the fact that fines under the Act went to the Treasury. He considered it high time that permanent Bantu villages were created in place of locations as existing at present.

Referring to trading the speaker complained that in spite of the trading clauses of the Act, some municipalities bluntly refuse the necessary permission, and he considered it time that defaulting municipalities were made to conform with the provisions of the Act.

Mr. J, R, Cooper, Superintendent, Municipal Native Administration, Bloemfontein, also read a paper on Urban conditions. He referred to the undesirable state of affairs in most locations particularly with regard to housing conditions. This matter has been brought to the notice of the governments from time to time, but with little practical effect. With the passing of the Urban Areas Act, however, there has been a great improvement in the position of Natives especially with regard to housing and administration.

At this stage (12.25 p.m.) the Conference adjourned to enable Bantu delegates to travel by bus to the location for their luncheon.

AFTERNOON

Mr. Cooper's paper was continued in the afternoon session which commenced at 2.15 p.m. Dr. Moroka occupied the chair.

Mr. Cooper dealt with the details 6f Native Administration of locations pointing out that satisfactory administration could be made possible only by personal contact with individuals. It is essential that there should be prompt settlement of minor difficulties, so that confidence might be established. Effective administration of urban Natives require sympathy and knowledge. Mr. Cooper concluded his remarks by emphasizing the fact that Native locations are governed by European Municipal Councils which are not compelled to follow the advice of the Advi­sory Boards. He considered it necessary that the administration of locations should be along definitely democratic lines.

Mr. Bennet Ncwana (King William's Town) opened the discussion on the papers read, by complaining that the Native Urban Administration makes no effort to give citizenship to Urban Natives.

Mr. J. R. Brent (Superintendent, Kroonstad) dealt with three points--the lodgers' permit, in respect of which he said that some form of control of lodgers is necessary; the formation of Advisory Boards--he thought the Municipal nomination of members a mistake and added that at Kroonstad the members are elected, the relations of the Boards with the Municipality--at Kroonstad there is a monthly conference between the Native Affairs Com­mittee of the Town Council and the Location Advisory Board.

Mr. Mtwane (Ventersdorp) complained that superintendents in small towns keep the Natives in ignorance. The Native Advisory Boards are overlooked and many never meet.

Bishop D. H. Sims (A.M.E. Church) pointed out that many difficulties might be removed if the philosophy of government were right. As a first essential it should be accepted that the function of government was to educate the people to citizenship. Secondly, every man should be allowed to live up to his maximum ability, remembering that his character and brain and the contribution he makes to the body politic, are what makes a man, and not the colour of his face. Thirdly, it is necessary for the Government to inspire confidence, to give hope so that Natives may live up to something higher. The only programme to solve the whole problem was absolute economic, social and educational justice for all the people of the country.

Rev. Z. R. Mahabane (Kimberley), refer­ring to the Kafir beer question, said that total prohibition has proved a failure because it arises out of sectional legislation. He was opposed to the municipal control of Kafir beer, and appealed to the Conference to urge the Durban Municipality to give it up. The remedy lies in licensing certain individuals of high character to brew and supply Kaffir beer. The earning capacity of the bread winner must be improved so that the women who brew beer may not be compelled to eke out existence by selling liquor. Advisory Boards should be so composed as to inspire confidence. All the members should be elected. Trading Rights in locations are strongly objected to in some quarters, especially in the Orange Free State. He considered it a very unreasonable attitude on the part of the White man.

Rev. Father Martin Knight (Kroonstad), hoped the Conference would press for trading rights being granted to Natives in Urban locations. At Kroonstad they are awaiting the decision of the Minister as a result of the enquiry held by the Magistrate there in September 1932. He understood that the Native Affairs Commission have the matter before them.

Mrs. Demas (Bloemfontein) said that beer is the cause of most of the trouble in the locations and emphasized that it is not a food. The only remedy is the raising of wages.

Mr. T. Klaaste (Joint Council, Kimberley) recognised the value of what Europeans had already done for Natives in urban areas. He appealed for help with regard to the boy who lives with his parents, and who has to pay a lodger's fee. Sometimes he is put in prison for not paying this tax and becomes a criminal or leaves home and is without parental control. He complained that Advisory Boards are useless and that the Municipalities take no notice of them, so that the people lose confidence.

Mrs. Eva Kubene (Kroonstad) pleaded that lodger's fees should be uniform and moderate;
and that helpful advice on health and domestic matters should be given to Native mothers.
Mr. Keble Moti (Kroonstad Advisory Board) was of opinion that paid officials of the Municipality should not be members of Advisory Boards.
Mr. Leshodi (African National Congress) asked that the lodger's tax should be abol­ished with respect to bona fide members of a family, and married people hiring rooms.
Mr. Selope Thema (Johannesburg) drew attention to the fact that people did not fully realise that there are a great many of the Natives living in towns who have no other home. Many Natives are developing a new life apart from the kraal life, and want freedom to develop. The chief objection to the Urban Areas Act is that it puts too great emphasis upon control. A wise and sympathetic Superintendent can manage without excessive powers of control. Mr. Thema thought owners should pay the lodger's tax, as it is pay­ment for extra services rendered by the Municipality.
Rev. D. W. Alexander (African Orthodox Church) urged that the Natives should be allowed to purchase their plots in the location; this disability is the cause of a great deal of discontent and of much of the trouble in the locations.
Mr. J. M. Dippa (Port Elizabeth) strongly objected to beer brewing of any kind whatso­ever, as it has brought nothing but harm to the Native people.
Mr. J. D. Mogaicho (Bloemfontein) did not object to the lodger's fee provided the collec­tion is properly administered.
The Vice Chairman, in closing the discus­sion expressed regret that more legislators were not present to hear the discussions and give their views. There have undoubtedly been improvements in urban areas in the past ten years. Mere criticism--the throwing of stones--
only antagonises those who are trying to improve things.






Senator the Honourable Reverend C. J. van Rooyen Smit, addressing the Conference in Sesuto, spoke of the distress among Natives owing to the prolonged drought. He had seen the Prime Minister, in the absence of the Minister of Native Affairs, and had represented the position to him. He was sure that if representations were made in deserving cases, help would be forthcoming.

The Venerable Archdeacon W. Parker gave notice of motion regarding the action of the Minister of Native Affairs in refusing to allow Pathfinders to proceed to the International Scout Jamboree in Hungary.
The Conference adjourned at 5.30.

EVENING

The evening public session commencing at 8.0 p.m. was devoted to addresses on
Public Opinion On European-Bantu Relations As Reflected in (A) Legislation And (B) The Press.
Mr, J. C. Buys, M.E.C. (Orange Free State) introduced his address with a few words in Xosa giving his reasons for speaking in Afrikaans.

Mr. Buys said it may be considered the aim of all well-meaning and thinking citizens of South Africa to deal with inter-racial questions in such a way that a clash of interests between different sections is avoided.

It is essential that each section develop in such a way that each maintains his identity as far as possible. It is not true that the White man deliberately wants to keep the Black man down. Such a policy would not only be unwise, but would be doomed to failure as it is impossible to check permanently the pro­gress and development of any section of the people of the country. The only reasonable solution is that each section be allowed to develop according to its own nature and traditions. What we require to meet the interests of all sections is what may be termed mass-segregation and mutual co-operation. The ideal for which we must strive is a two-stream policy with coalition and co-­operation. Mass-segregation, however difficult it may seem, should not be impossible and should ultimately help to make both sections strong and progressive.

Professor D. D. T. Jabavu, B.A. (South African Native College, Fort Hare):--"There are two main schools of thought--the repressionist and the liberal, and it is important to keep in mind their historical development. While in other countries such as Egypt and India a solution of the problems is being sought on liberal lines--with extended franchise, in South Africa legislation is being increasingly influenced by the repressionist school, so that the Native franchise in the Cape is being seriously threatened.

The franchise is valued not merely because it gives potential influence, but because, as in Native government, it is a symbol of man­hood. Those Natives who have the franchise feel that they have a status in the country. When he and others were approached some time ago by a member of the Select Commit­tee on the Native Bills to agree to the disappearance of the Cape Franchise, they were told that if they gave up the vote, Parliament would vote £30,000,000 for Native Development. He himself refused to entertain the proposal. And while the granting of the vote to women has lessened the power of the franchise, yet Native leaders wish to retain it, for they hope that the coming generation, who will be separated from mem­ories of past wars, will prove more liberal-minded. As the Native increases in culture he will be able to make himself more intelligible to the White man to explain his position, and thus prevent misunderstandings, which now occur so frequently. His vote will be more and more intelligent and more useful as an expression of Native opinion.

Many of our difficulties come from the use of catchwords and phrases. One of these is uniformity and through it the franchise is threatened. At Union each Province decided to keep its own Native Administration, now uniformity has become the fashion, and therefore the Cape franchise must be sacrificed.

'Segregation* is a mere catchword, for segregation is no longer possible. There is not the land to accommodate the Natives, and they are now too much bound up with the general economic organisation of the country for separation.

'Develop along their own lines' has perhaps many meanings, but in the minds of those who use the phrase most it means divorcing the Native from those institutions of modern civilisation for which there are no substitutes in Native life. It is not merely because these are European institutions that the Native wants them, it is because they give satisfaction for new needs which have come to stay-schools, homes with furniture and comfort, clothes and many others, part of the equip­ment of civilisation that is necessary for any civilised people.

'European civilisation' then is a misnomer. Civilisation involves ability to do things, to control one's environment, mastery and efficiency, and has no relation to nationality or race.

'Social equality' brings to the mind the dangers of miscegenation, and the civilisation and advancement of the Native are feared because they may involve the 'social equality' of marriage with White women. Of the thou­sands of educated Natives and of the large number educated in Europe, I know only one who has married a White woman. Miscegena­tion takes place in those ranks where there is least self-respect--among the very poor and ignorant and rarely among the educated.

Thus it is important that all classes of Europeans should be educated, and it is important that they should be made to realise the fallacies of these catchwords. While the Universities must continue their scientific study of racial questions, the children must learn to avoid race prejudices. If catchwords and phrases must be used, let them be 'The Native is not a danger,' 'Native success is not a danger to White sucess,' 'The low condition of the Black man makes for the low condition of the White man,' Repression of the Native holds down the White man.'

Rev. Z. R. Mahabane (Kimberley) said:

The subject of Race Relations between White and Black in this land of many colours and variety of problems is such a complex matter and presents such difficulties that public opinion thereon must perforce be sharply divided into two or three schools of thought.

On the one hand is that school that has been described as Repressionist, on the side of which is ranged the segregationist, while on the other hand is what may be regarded as the Liberal school. There is also the Native point of view.

The first school of thought is represented by a political party that nearly came into being towards the end of last year, called the Republican Party, the Draft Constitution of which was published in the Public press on the 2nd September, 1932. One of the provisions of the Constitution reads: "The Party insists on segregation of the Native, socially, polit­ically, industrially, and as far as possible, territorially." Take also the spirit underlying Dr. W. P. Steenkamp's Manifesto published in the Press in February, 1931, and headed, "Whom I will join." Under item 7 (c) the Manifesto reads, "To maintain South Africa as a White man's country through industrial segregation, i.e., the prohibition of Native Labour where a European can be employed. Let the Native in the towns where he can be displaced by Europeans return to the farms, the Native Reserves or the Mines." See also the theory of segregation adumbrated by Senator T. C. Visser before the Bantu Studies Society of the University of the Witwatersrand published in the Press on the 29th September, 1931, when he said: "The physical facts should be sufficient to show the hopelessness of Negrophilist apostles trying to persuade a generation growing in knowledge based on scientific facts that the Native is the equal of the White man. He never can be and never will be. That," said the Doctor, "was all the more reason that he (the Native) should be safeguarded territorially, socially, econom­ically and politically from the Whites."

This school of thought insists that the Kafir must be "kept in his place," and that is that he must continue for all time as "a hewer of wood and drawer of water." In the political sphere this body of public opinion detests the Cape Franchise which makes no differentiation between the races. It maintains that the Cape Native Vote must go or be fundamentally altered unless South Africa "wants to see either civil war or the White man's ruin or the ruin of European civilization."

The advocates of segregation of the Native races now urge the incorporation of the Native territories of Basutoland, Swaziland and the Bechuanaland Protectorate into the Union of South Africa, holding that the solution of the Native Problem, the problem of race relations in the country as well as the problem of congestion in the Native Reserves, lies in this direction. This course has been advocated from time to time since the coming into being of Union in South Africa. It has, however, been brought more forcibly to the notice of the public during the last two or three years. The "Republican Party" declared itself in favour of this course. The following declaration appears as an article of faith in its constitution. "The Party is convinced that the Native Problem in the Union will never be solved with any degree of finality until Bechuanaland, Swaziland and Basutoland are administered by the Union Government." (Vide The Star, September 2nd, 1932).

Perhaps the latest pronouncement on the question from a responsible quarter is that made by Senator the Hon. P. C. Matabele Thompson, who, in supporting a request from the White settlers in Bechuanaland to the Prime Minister to receive a deputation with the object of emphasising the urgency of the matter, is reported to have said, "I want to suggest, with a full sense of responsibility attaching to my position, the advisability of incorporating the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Basutoland in the Union, not with a view to securing cheap land for Whites as has been said as a jibe, but purely as a solution of the Native land question." The Senator visualises, by this move, a solution of the problem of settlement of the African people who are crowded out of the Native Reserves and Territories of the Union as well as the urban locations.

What may be regarded as the liberal school of public thought believes in the wisdom and statesmanlikeness as well as the practicability of the late Cecil Rhodes formula of "Equal rights for all civilized men south of the Zambcsi, irrespective of race or class or colour or creed." It believes also in the policy of equal opportunities for all human beings irrespective of colour; it is prepared to accept what Professor D. D. Tengo Jabavu claimed for the people he represents when he said: "The Black man does not ask for much-only for justice, justice in land distribution, justice in economic opportunity and justice in political representation."

This school of thought has from time to time fought tooth and nail all legislative measures that appear to be of an oppressive, repressive and suppressive tendency, such as the Colour Bar provisions of the Imperial Act constituting the Union of South Africa, the Industrial Colour Bar Bill of 1926, the Native Service Contract Bill of 1932, the Native Franchise Bill now engaging the attention of Parliament, etc. This body of public opinion has characterised the Native Service Contract Act as a "repressive Bill." In a leading article the Diamond Fields Advertiser of Kimberley of 13th May, 1932, made the trenchant observation: "the Bill .... .will find a place on the statute book to the lasting disgrace of the Union Parliament."

On the question of segregation the Native point of view has been very succinctly put by Dr. P. Ka Isaka Seme, when in his closing address delivered at the Annual Convention of the African National Congress held in Bloemfontein in April last he said, "If the advocates of segregation are sincere, let them come out and give the Natives enough land for all their reasonable requirements. Let them draw up a dividing line from North to South or from East to West. Then let the Government order every White man to cross the line and go to his own corner and the Native to go to his own likewise." "I beg to ask," Dr. Seme concluded, "if there is any Government in this country which would dare to put such a policy into practice." (Vide Umteteli of 29th April, 1933.)

The Native view of this question of the proposed incorporation of the Native Terri­tories into the Union was correctly given expression to by Mr. S. M. Makgatho of Pretoria in his Presidential Address to the Native Congress delivered some fifteen years ago when he quoted the pathetic words of the Rich Man in Hell when he pleaded with Father Abraham, that he would send Lazarus to his father's house, for, said he, "1 have five brethren, that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment."

The Union must first set its own house in order, adopt and pursue a liberal policy towards the African section of its population, admit the non-European community as an integral and inseparable part and parcel of the Union populace and adopt the Cape System of statecraft, before it ventures to extend an invitation to the Protectorates to enter the fold of its political household.

Native public opinion on the whole subject of Race Relations in South Africa is fairly adequately summed up, I believe, in the declaration of rights adopted at the Annual Convention of the African National Congress held at this City of Congresses in April, 1929. I cull the following among other points, to wit:
(1) "That the aboriginal African is a member in full of, and with the human race, as well as an integral and inseparable member of the whole family of mankind,"
(2) "That as such he is entitled to all those rights, duties, privileges and responsibilities that have been conferred by a gracious Providence upon members of the human race;"
(3) "That such rights include the right of self-determination, the right to decide his own fate and determine his own destiny, as well as the right to choose his own rulers,"
(4) "That such rights involve the right of direct representation in the legislative bodies of the land of his habitation, the right to the full and unrestricted franchise on the same basis as applies to other races."
(5) "That the Black man possesses the right to lease or occupy land in any part of South Africa."
(6) "That his children are entitled to the same education facilities as those enjoyed by the children of other races of the land."
Now, one fact needs to be emphasised, and that is that as White and Black live in juxtaposition in South Africa the one group depends upon the other; the Black man is dependent upon the brain and the organising ability and the resources of the White man, while the latter depends upon the brawn and the labour of the former. This interdepen­dence between the two races rules out segrega­tion as an impossible and impracticable proposition.
The best solution of the problem of race relations in South Africa as in any other country which is confronted with the same problem, lies in the fearless and courageous adoption of the formula: "Co-operation between the White and Black races in this country in the development of the material, mineral, agricultural and industrial resources of this vast country; co-operation in the governance of the land and in promoting the best interests of the country." There must be co-operation in the building up of a strong and virile manhood made up of the whole heterogeneous mass of racial groups or units of all colours, creeds, classes, conditions and cultures.
And with co-operation as the settled policy of the land we can proudly feel that
All are architects of Fate Working in these walls of Time Some with massive deeds and Some with ornaments of rhyme.









Professor E. H, Brookes pointed out that the conference showed that in the Joint Council movement there is room for more than one school of thought; and that however conflicting the views, they can be expressed, provided they breathe the spirit of sincerity and sympa­thy as evinced at the conference.
The Press serves to mould and train public opinion and it is therefore of the utmost importance. Bantu papers are as a rule much more severe in their criticism of the Euro­peans than the European papers are of the Bantu. The Bantu not only read their own papers, but also those of the European Press. This fact involves a tremendous responsibility, which should be fully realised by all those connected with the Press.

The speaker stated that no European paper is propagating an anti-Native policy. With regard to the Bantu Press, it is only too frequent that sincere friends of the Natives are severely criticised. In all its aspects the Press is the most important influence on public opinion. Dr. Brookes concluded by paying a tribute to the high standard maintained by the South African Press with regard to the educa­tion of the South African public.

The Chairman in conclusion stated that "if the whole public of South Africa can be educated to view these questions in the same spirit of tolerance and open-mindedness as that shown here this evening, we need have no fears for the future."

The speakers were warmly thanked and the session closed at 9.50 p.m.
I. Urban Areas Act and Municipal Native Administration

This Conference recognises the great ef­forts that have been made by many Municipal­ities and the Native Affairs Department to effect improvements in the conditions of Native life in towns since the passing of the Natives' (Urban Areas) Act. It believes, how­ever, that there are still a great many direc­tions in which improvements can and must be effected to make conditions more favourable to the proper development of individual, family and communal life. The Conference recognises that the difficulties vary in kind and size from centre to centre, but it is convinced that the experience already gained of the working of the Act has yielded results which can be helpfully reviewed.

Therefore the Conference puts forward the following proposals which cover amendments to the Act, as well as administrative changes, in the expectation that the proposals will receive the favourable consideration of the Government and of Municipalities.

As a guide to the interpretation of these proposals, it should be stated, the Conference is of opinion that the time has come when the existence of a permanent urban Native popu­lation must be frankly recognised. From this conclusion it follows that the administration of the Native townships must be directed towards decent conditions of individual and family life, and towards the creation of a civic pride and interest which will enable the Natives in due time to bear their share of the communal responsibility and to qualify them for the control of their own townships. The immediate possibilities in this direction vary according to the town, but everywhere there is the possibility of modifying the harsher operation of clauses of the Act which were drafted without due recognition of the existence  of a  permanent  urban  Native population.

The Conference feels that public attention should be specially directed towards the racial problems that are developing rapidly in all urban areas. In pan these are due to the transition from tribal to urban conditions; but to a much greater extent they are due to the low wages earned by Natives, so that the wife as well as the husband must daily leave home and children in search of work. The children are thus left to grow up without parental control or supervision of any kind, because the Union Government makes no adequate provision for the education of the children, and because there are few opportunities for young boys and girls to obtain regular employment. The low-earning capacity of the urban Native is affecting the whole future of all sections of the community.

Further the Conference is of opinion that the local governments in Urban areas are being unfairly forced to attempt the solution of problems which can be satisfactorily settled only by the Union Government. The fact that many Natives are not temporary dwellers and that restrictive legislation cannot alter this position does not relieve the central Govern­ment of its major responsibilities. In this connection particular mention is made of the necessity for a proper system of education for Native children, the support of indigent Natives too old to work, and the great and increasing difficulty of unemployment.

Amendments To The Act

1. Freehold
In order to give security of tenure, provision should be made whereby Natives may hold land in freehold in the locations.
N.B. i. The Natives Urban Areas Bill as originally submitted to Parliament provided for ownership of lots in Native villages.
ii. Paragraph 503 of the Native Economic Commission Report recommends greater security of tenure.
iii. Special consideration may in this way be given to the needs of the advanced group of Natives.
2. Criminal Proceedings
At as early a date as possible, there should be an abolition of criminal proceedings for the recovery of rents and that for it there should be substituted an equally expeditious way of proceeding in the matter which shall be less costly than the present civil procedure.
N.B. At the present time Municipalities must choose between criminal procedure, which is cheap, but bears harshly on the Native, and civil procedure, which is milder in its action but adds considerably to the debt of the Native.
3. Native Advisory Boards
Section 10 of the Act dealing with Native Advisory Boards should be re-drafted in such a way as to provide:--
(a) That all members of the Advisory Boards shall be elected in accordance with regulations laid down by the Union Govern­ment and that elections shall be supervised by an official of the Union Government.
(b) That each Advisory Board may either elect a Chairman from its own members, or, subject to the approval of the Municipal Authority, nominate a European as a Chairman.
(c) That minutes of all meetings of the Advisory Board shall be properly and regu­larly kept and that copies of these minutes shall be regularly submitted to the Municipal Authority.
(d) That for voters there shall be a resi­dential qualification of six months in a location or village established under the Act, and they shall be registered occupiers.
(e) That not less than once in every six months it shall be obligatory for the commit­tee dealing with Native Affairs in a munici­pality to meet the Native Advisory Board or Boards for a full discussion of such matters as either the Committee or Board may place on the agenda.
(f) That the status and powers of the Advisory Boards shall be more clearly defined, and provision made for regular meetings of the Advisory Boards.
(g) Municipal employees shall not be eligi­ble for membership of Advisory Boards.
Administrative Improvements
1. The normal rent basis in other coun­tries for working-class housing schemes, which is not more than 20% of the worker's average wage plus the cost of services, should be taken into account when assessing rents for houses. 2. The services of Natives should be utilised in locations as far as is possible.
3. The Conference is convinced of the great importance of training a body of men and women of character in social service and Native Administration. It is convinced that the appointment of the right persons to such posts as deal with the administration of Urban Native Affairs is of far-reaching importance, and that much harm is done by the appoint­ment of persons with no other qualifications than an alleged "knowledge of Natives." The Conference wishes that local authorities be advised of the importance of appointing per­sons of real knowledge and character to administrative posts.
In this connection it also recommends:--
(a) that location superintendents should be directly responsible to the councils which they serve and should have direct access to such councils or the appropriate committee.
(b) that the Minister of Native Affairs should exercise the greatest care in the issue of licences under Section eleven of the Act, to officers administering Urban Native Affairs.
(c) that the Minister should have no hesitation in withdrawing such licences where the officer concerned is proved to be unsuitable for the post.
4. The Minister should exercise the powers conferred upon him by Section 11 of the Act for the inspection of Native locations, and for the inspection of Native Revenue Accounts to restrict undue burdening with Corporation and other charges.
5. That, to replace the so-called "lodger's fee," standholders should be required to take out a licence and pay fees to be prescribed by the local authority for the right to sublet. For this purpose any bona fide dependent of the standholder and bona fide unmarried children should not be counted as sub-tenants.
Special Recommendations
1. This Conference urges the Government where Municipalities refuse to grant trading licences to Natives, to exercise its power of granting trading rights to Natives in Native Locations.
2. This Conference strongly recommends all Municipalities to support the Annual Con­ference of Advisory Boards.
VII. Special Resolutions
The Ban on Pathfinders.
Native Bills.
Justice.
Bantu Studies in Universities and
Schools.
Co-operation with Farmers' Asso­ciations.
vi. Wages on Railways. vii. Tot System. viii. Native Arts and Crafts. ix. Fort Hare Students. x. The Terms "Kafir" and "Native." xi. Medical Training Facilities for Natives.
i. The Ban on Pathfinders
This Conference expresses its profound dissatisfaction and regret at the action of the Government in refusing to grant passports to the Pathfinders selected to attend the Inter­national Scout Jamboree in Hungary; and authorises the Conveners in the name of the Conference to take all possible steps to secure the removal of the Ban.
ii. Native Bills
In view of the magnitude and complexity of the subjects dealt with by the Prime Minister's Native Bills and the desirability of securing, so far as possible, the acceptability to every section affected of any decisions to be taken, and the proved success of the Conference method as a means for the fruitful exchange of opinion between Europeans and Bantu, this Conference requests the Govern­ment to give serious consideration to the possibility and advisability of summoning a special Consultative Conference on which the Bantu themselves shall be adequately repre­sented, for the full consideration of the Bills before their final submission to Parliament.
iii. Justice
That the South African Institute of Race Relations be asked to organise an enquiry (through the organisations represented at this Conference) into the many complaints regard­ing the relations between Native accused persons, witnesses and members of the public and the Police and Gaol authorities, and of injustice in the Courts, and to arrange for these matters to be considered by the next National European-Bantu Conference.
iv.   Bantu Studies in Universities and Schools
This Conference
(i) records its appreciation of the work done in the Universities in the direction of the study of Bantu Life and Languages and problems of contact;
(ii) requests the Institute of Race Rela­tions, in consultation with the Inter-University Committee on African Studies, the N.U.S.A.S., and other appropriate bodies, to consider the possibility of the fruitful exten­sion of these studies both in the Universities and the Schools (both European and Non-European) and also in Public Service and Police Training, referring to it in this connec­tion the proposals of the Bantu Studies Circle of the University of Stellenbosch laid before the Conference.
v. Co-operation with Farmers'Associations
This Conference commends to the atten­tion of its rural members, European and Bantu,  the  desirability of encouraging wherever possible consultation between Bantu leaders and representatives of local Farmers' Associations and other Europeans with a view to co-operation on matters of common interest such as agricultural shows, improve­ment of Native Agriculture and Education.
vi. Wages and Railways
This Conference urges the Government to restore the cuts made in the wages of Native railway employees.
vii. Tot System
This Conference records its strong objec­tion to any further extension of the Tot System to Natives.
viii. Native Arts and Crafts
This Conference is of opinion that the encouragement of Native arts and crafts and music should form a part of any programme of Native development; and welcomes the efforts of the Institute of Race Relations to give effect to this aspiration.





















































ix. Fort Hare Students
That this Conference warmly endorses the proposal put before the National Union of Students (as presented by student members to the Conference) that students of the'South African Native College at Fort Hare be admitted to full membership of the Union.
x. Terms "Kafir" and "Native"
(1) In view of the widespread use of the word "Kafir" as a term of contempt, this Conference is of opinion that every step should be taken to eliminate its use especially in school text-books, and in the Press.
(2) The question of the most useful, accurate and generally acceptable term to describe Bantu-speaking South Africans should be carefully considered by the next National Conference.
xi. Medical Training Facilities for Natives
That this Conference urges upon the Union Government the necessity for providing immediate facilities for the full medical train­ing of Native students in this country.
Non-Europeans Meet Together






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