NATIVES WARNED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 270, 13 November 1937, Page 13

NATIVES WARNED.

SOUTH AfRXOAN RIOTS.

CAPETOWN.

The South African Government takes a grave view of the recent Vereeniging native riots, in which two white constable* were killed, and the attack by natives on police in East Griqualand. General Herttog, the Prime Minister, speaking at Pretoria, said that these attacks strengthened the conviction of the European population that there was deep-rooted hostility, perhaps organised, among the natives towards the whites. "The seriousness of the position cannot be minimised either for the Europeans or the natives," he said. Unless steps were taken to calm the whites, a chronic position of bitter strife and enmity would arise. This must not be allowed to happen. "Here, where the native lives in the domain of the whites," General Hertzog continued, "he must obey the laws of the whites. The Government must see that this is done, regardless of what the natives think of the law." He assured the natives that the whites entertained for them the greatest goodwill. They were determined to carry out faithfully the fatherly care promised to the native. At the same time he warned the natives that the whites were equally determined that the control of the country should be held by the Europeans. Another aspect of the native problem was dealt with by General Smuts, Minister of Justice, in opening a conference at Pretoria on the administration of the Native Laws Amendment Act. He said that the influx of natives into the towns had reached enormous proportions. It was a problem which was bound to lead to the disintegration of native life. It had become a real menace to the country. In 15 years the native urban population had doubled itself. He appealed to municipalities to use the powers under the Act to remedy the evils arising out of the uncontrolled influx of natives to the towns.