CROSSED FLOOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 25, 31 January 1933, Page 7

CROSSED FLOOR.

DRAMATIC SCENE.

Sensation in South African Parliament.

COALITION'S CHANCES.

(United T.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 12.30 p.m.) CAPETOWN, January 30. There was a sensation in the House of Assembly during the debate on the motion proposed by General Smuts advocating the setting up of a National Government.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Kemp, attacked Dr. Reitz, who has been associated with Judge Tielman Roos, who left the Bench to endeavour to set up a National party with the co-opera-tion of the South African party, under General Smuts.

Mr. Kemp declared that Dr. Reitz should have resigned instead of sailing under false colours.

Dr. Reitz jumped to his feet and shouted: "I am willing to resign and fight the Minister of Agriculture in his own constituency."

Mr. Kemp, continuing, said that, the disaffected Nationalists were disappointed at not receiving jobs. Two other Nationalists then repeated Dr. Reitz's challenge and the scene ended with Dr. Reitz and Mr. Moll crossing the floor to the Opposition benches.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. H. C. Havenga, said that a coalition could not be brought about by trying to get rid of General Hertzog.

The South African party caucus is still negotiating with the Roos faction, who offer General Smuts six seats in a Cabinet of 11, but insist on Judge Roos being Premier. If the negotiations fail the Roos element will form a Centre party holding the balance of power.