SOUTH AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 104, 28 January 1924, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICA

PARLIAMENT OPENED RESOLUTIONS OF EMPIRE CONFERENCES By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. (Rec. January 27, 5.5 p.m.) Capetown, January 26. Parliament was opened by the Gov-ernor-General, the Earl of Athlone, with the accustomed ceremonial. The scene in the Senate State Chamber was more brilliant than usual owing to the unusually large, gathering .of notable persons, both in the Union ana from overseas. . The Earl of Athlone, m a speech, referring to the Imperial and Economic Conferences, said that if the resolutions passed by the latter were put into operation they would open up wider markets overseas for South. African, products. He gave details of new railway construction, including a line in northern Zululand, which is urgently required for the opening up of a large tract where cotton-growing is successfully being carried on. Railway traffic had shown, a marked improvement, as a result of which the Government proposed to reduce fares and rates, especially on agricultural produce and commodities, 'materially affecting the cost of living.—Reuter. RESOLUTIONS NOT BINDING UNTIL RATIFIED BY PARLIAMENT (Rec. January 27, 11.50 p.m.) Cape Town, January 27. In the House of Assembly Mr. Cresswell, the Labour Leader, will move on Tuesday that the House holds to the promises made by the Government at the Imperial and Economic Conference to impose no binding obligation on the Dominions concerned until ratified by Parliament, and dissents from the contrary view put forward by the Premier, General Smuts, in a public speech at Johannesburg. General Hertzog, the Nationalist leader, will move that a proper comprehensive solution of the unemployment problem and the increasing poverty in the country requires the earnest immediate attention of the Government.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FARMERS IN DISTRESS DROUGHT AND DAMAGE BY LOCUSTS (Rec. January 27, 11.50 p.m.) Cape Town, January 27. Unprecedented drought in portions of the Free State and Western Transvaal is causing great losses of stock and crops, and is aggravated by visits of locusts. .Farmers are in great distress. It is anticipated the Government will take immediate action with a view to enabling the farmers to obtain cover bonds, so as not to lose their farms. —Aus.-N.. Cable Assn.