UNION PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 19, 23 January 1926, Page 7

UNION PARLIAMENT

OPENS IN SOUTH AFRICA

MAIN PROBLEMS SURVEYED

IN GOVEENOE-GENEBAL'S

SPEECH,

(UNHID MiSi ASSOCIATION—COPIiIOHT.)

(RBUTER'B TBLEQRA!!.)

(Received 23rd January, noon.)

CAPETOWN, 22nd January,

The Governor-General of South Africa, the Earl of Athlone, at the opening of the Union Parliament, in the Speech from the Throne, said that it was pleasing to note the improvement in the general condition of the Union. The industrial life of the Union was responding satisfactorily to the stimulus of protection, the policy adopted by the country. Good progress was being made in agriculture, but the long-continued absence cf general rains over the country was causing considerable anxiety with regard to this year's harvest.

Dealing with the Asiatic question the Speech observed that for the purpose of securing a healthier relation between the various elements of the population and the safeguarding of the proper economic development of the country a Bill would be introduced for the reservation to various classes of persons of areas for residential and trading purposes, and for amending the registration and immigration laws in certain respects.

As regards the native question tho Speech says that the question has been engaging tho serious attention of Ministers. It is felt that a speedy solution of this great problem is essential to the well-being both of the European and the native populations of the Union, and Bills would be laid before Parliament during the j^sent session dealing with its more important aspects, but owing to the weighty character and great national importance of these measures Ministers did not contemplate proceeding with them beyond the preliminary stage during the present session.