BRITISH VIEWPOINT

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 183, 2 May 1934, Page 9

BRITISH VIEWPOINT

Future of Protectorates in South Africa I STATEMENT BY MR. THOMAS - , (British Official Wireless.) (Received May 1, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, April 30. The Dominions Secretary,,Mr. J. H. Thomas, in the House of Commons stated that he had received no communication from his Majesty’s Government in the Union of South Africa containing General Hertzog’s statement in the Union Parliament in reference to the transference to the Union of British protectorates in .South Africa, but. in view of Press reports, he thought Mt convenient to state the position of his Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom. He recalled the pledges given when the South Africa Bill was before the House of Commons in 1903, and on later occasions on behalf of the .Governments in 1919 and 1925 that the House of Commons would have tlie fullest opportunity of discussing and. if they wished, of disapproving any proposed transfer of these territories to the Union. In the House of Lords in 1925 it was also stated that the Government would not make any decision until the native population and white population had had full opportunity, of expressing jtheir views and any represenfiitiong which either might make Would receive the most careful consideration before the Government came to any final decision. Mr. ~ Thomas added .that these pledges were repeated on behalf of the present Government, both by himself in the House of Commons and also in the House of Lords in July last. Copies of them were; communicated to Smuts while he was in England last year.