SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 169, 18 July 1936, Page 9

SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

PROTECTORATES' POSITION. British Official Wireless. RUGBY, July 17. The Dominions Secretary, Mr. MacDonald, in a statement on the South African protectorates, said the actingHigh Commissioner for Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland, had been in communication with the Prime Minister of South Africa,! General Hertzog, about recent statements in the Union House of Assembly I regarding the transfer of these territories to the Union. Mr. Mac Donald added that he would like to make it clear that there was no agreement or understanding between the Governments that transfer'of the territories or of any one of them should take place within any specific time. The Minister spoke of the generous offer of the Union Government to share in cost of certain development schemes. It was made clear to the native authorities that acceptance of the offer could not impair pledges already given by Britain to consult the inhabitants before any decision was reached. i In view of uneasiness which might j still be felt on the subject, the British j Government had concluded that it would I be preferable if the Union Government's financial assistance plan remained in ■ abeyance. General Hertzog had stated • that he willing to agree.