CALL TO DOMINIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 20, 23 January 1917, Page 2

CALL TO DOMINIONS.

SOUTH AFRICA'S ENVOY. BOTHA URGED TO GO. I APPEAL TO ATJ_ ___!__ ("Sydney Sun" Cable.) LONDON, January 16. It is believed that the Government has strongly represented to the Dominions the difference between the proposad Empire War Council and past Imperial conferences. This point is evidently now impressing South Africa. Tiie correspondent of the "Times" cables that a strong section of the Cabinet, including General Botha (Prime Minister), favour General Botha's attendance. A weak minority fear that if Botha and General Smuts are absent the Herzongites might benefit. Furthermore, Parliament is to meet on February 16, when a delicate bill, dealing with natives and the land, may bring shipwreck. General Smuts, too, is strongly averse to giving up the East African campaign until victory is complete.

The "Volksblad," a Bloemfontein Nationalist organ, denounces the secret diplomacy of the Imperial Conferences, declaring that Botha must not sit alongside Lord Milner or Mr Walter Long (Colonial Secretary), and protesting against the Colonial Office being in the hands of a Unionist.

Mrs Botha, is dangerously ill. A distinguished statesman appeals to Australia not to wreck the Imperial Conference.

"It is the biggest reform ever attempted in Imperial relations, recognising the freedom, rights, power, and destinies of the Dominions a« never before," dc declares. "But when this point has at last been reached Australia merely smacks the mother country's face, declaring that she cannot adjust her domestic politics at the most critical moment of the war."