AFRICA AND BRITAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 155, 12 April 1930, Page 7

AFRICA AND BRITAIN

CLOSEST RELATIONSHIPS.

UNION GOVERNMENT’S POLICY. HERALDING A NEW ERA (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) CAPE TOWN, April 11. The Prime Minister’s vote gave General Smuts an opportunity to review South Africa’s relations with Britain. The latter welcomed the announcement that General Hertzog was going to Geneva, and said a gieat deal of good work might be done at the Imperial Conference in closer reciprocal trade relations. He hoped South Africa would give more preference to Britain, despite Mr Snowden’s policy. The Prime Minister (General Hertzog) then surprised the House .by cordial references to Britain. He said that While it was South Africa’s policy to establish good terms, with all the world, everything should be done to ensure the closest relationship with Britain and the other Dominions. The possibility of changes in the British Government introduced the element of uncertainty into the preferential system, consequently the Government maintained the “quid pro quo” system. General Hertzog added: “\\e are always ready to give Britain all, and more than,' she is entitled to on the basis of hand for hand in aunointing ambassadors to foreign countries. We have no intention to act in a spirit of hostility to Britain, but South Africa must act as a free country.” It is believed the debate will herald a new era in South African politics.