"NO SACRIFICE !"

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 224, 20 September 1924, Page 7

"NO SACRIFICE !"

EVEN IF EMPIRE INVOLVED. SOUTH AFRICAN PROBLEMS. CAPETOWN, September 11. The official organ of the Nationalist (Government) party, "Die Burger," administers a rebuke to the British Secretary of the Colonies (Mr. Thomas), who will sail for England to-morrow, in connection with his utterances on the Asiatic question. It rejects his appeal for a consideration of Imperial interests, emphasising the contention that South African interests must prevail. Regarding the Indian demand for equality of treatment, "Die Burger" says that South Africa must refuse to make any sacrifice in that direction, even if the integrity of the Empire be involved. Referring to other utterances by Mr. Thomasj "Die Burger" declares that if the Parliamentary delegates from overseas came as apostles of Imperialism, they gained .a welcome under false pretences. The "Capo Times" and the "Cape Argus" resent the attack, and point out the value of Mr. Thomas' suggestion regarding a conference with India. Mr. Thomas, in recent speeches, had said that as a. result of his conversations with the Prime Minister, General Hertzog, South Africa would be represented at the Dominions Conference in October. The ex-Prime Minister, General Smut 3, in the course of an interview, expressed his unwillingness to offer hostile criticism of anything that might further the interests of the South African Commonwealth. He could not see how its objects could be served unless the conference were attended by the Prime Ministers, as the last conference had decided on ttie methods to be followed in the negotiation of Empire treaties.