SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 181, 28 April 1924, Page 6

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

POLICY SPEECH BY GENERAL SMUTS ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRY By Telegraph—Press Association. —COPYBIQET, (Rec. April 26, 5.5 p.m.) Capetown, April 25. General Smuts, at Pretoria, delivered a policy speetch in view of the coming elections. He claimed that last election had destroyed Radicalism and defeated the secession movementThe Union’s credit was better than that of most of the Great Powers, and as good as Britain’s. There was a prospect of remitting taxation. The Premier said that, if returned to power, he proposed to continue the programme of railway and harbour construction, and the policy of opening up European maiikets. He proposed also to appoint a special Trade Commissioner in North America. He intended to develop agriculture and cotton-growing, and promote settlement on surplus irrigable lands, with Government assistance to South Africans and assistance also to settlers from abroad.

Dealing with the industrial policy, General Smuts said courageous action was demanded to solve the problem of providing a future for South African hoys and girls. Ho intended to constitute a new portfolio of Industries and Trade, and to provide a bank, similar to the Land Bank, to lend assistance to industry. He also intended to establish great railway workshops able to produce not only rolling-stock, but all engines hitherto imported, and, if possible, to establish an iron and steel industry.

General Smuts condemned General Hertzog's segration policy, which would produce a sense of injury, injustice, and oppression, and bring business to a complete deadlock.— Reuter.