STATEMENT ON DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 9

STATEMENT ON DEFENCE

Address by Minister at Cape Town

MEMORY OF BOER WAR Denial That Anti-British Feeling Exists By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Cape Town, February 5. Addressing the Imperial Press Conference, the South African Minister of Defence, Mr.. O. Pirow, denied that there was any anti-British feeling in South Africa. At the same time he felt that if war broke out and the Government were to attempt rashly to commit South Africa to any overseas adventure, he was afraid there would l>o large-scale disturbances, possibly even civil war.

Referring to tlie Union of South Africa’s attitude to the British Navy, Mr. Pirow said that the Navy’s function was not to protect South Africa, but quite rightly to protect British shipping trade. The British Navy received a substantial benefit from being in African waters, a benefit which would greatly increase if the , Suez Canal at any time became unavailable. “Anybody,” he said, “who wants to understand South African policy must bear in mind that to the Afrikaans section tlie Boer War is much fresher than in flie minds of those who fought against them.” In connection with coastal defence Mr.'Pirow said that it was difficult to overestimate the important part aircraft would play in time of war. The Government had gone out of its way to acquire through the British War Office the latest bomber fighters for coastal defence purposes. Referring to the conflicting policies of the Union and other parts of Africa relating to natives, Mr. Pirow said: “I do not know that any compromise is possible, and the intensity of feeling on both sides is definitely increasing, and must lead to a struggle to a finish. Some such event as a European war <jr a wave of religious fanaticism spreading across Africa might precipitate bloodshed on an unprecedented scale.” MUST SHAPE OWN POLICY Dominions and ,Defence COMMENT BY “THE TIMES” (Received February 6, 11.40 p.m.) . London, February 6. “Tlie Times,” in an editorial dealing with Mr. Pirow’s defence statement, admits that every Dominion must determine its own defence policy guided primarily by the consideration of its own interests. There is no question ef endeavouring to persuade any Dominion to join reluctantly in a general scheme of defence 'which can be misconstrued as committing it beforehand to definite action on unforeseen contingencies.

Britain well understands the objection not only of South Africa but other Dominions to commitments concerning the future. It is perfectly natural that every Dominion would wish to remain absolutely free to determine its own course in any crisis.