PARTY TURN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 21, 26 January 1933, Page 7

PARTY TURN.

S. AFRICAN DEBATE.

General Smuts' Advocacy of National Government.

HERTZOG MAKES REPLY. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) CAPETOWN, January 25. General Smuts, speaking in the Legislative Assembly to his motion calling on the Government to resign in oi'der to make way for the formation of a National Government, spoke brilliantly and without recrimination.

He based his demand on the national desire for racial peace and the fact that the Prime Minister, General Hertzog, was now carrying out a non-gold policy in spite of his pledges that he would not remain in office if the Union quitted the gold standard.

Tlie Leader of the Opposition declared his willingness to place the initiative for the formation of a National Government in General Hertzog's hands. He said the financial and economic conditions of the Union were so serious that it required a great national effort to retrieve them.

General Hertzog, in replying, said the present Government was fully capable of dealing with all emergencies. His pledge to resign referred only to a voluntary abandonment of gold. His Government must now defend the country against the disastrous consequences of non-gold which General Smuts and his coadjutors had forced.

The Prime Minister moved an amendment declaring that the House has the fullest confidence in the present Government.

The debate now is likely to take a definite party turn when it is resumed to-day. The Government expects a majority of 11 on the division.