CENTRE OF EMPIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1931, Page 7

CENTRE OF EMPIRE

NATIONAL HEART SOUND

SMUTS PRAISES BRITAIN

CONDUCT IN CRISIS

United Press Association—By" Electric Tele.

Graph-—Copyright. (Received Bth December, 10 a.m.) CAPETOWN, 7th December.

General Smuts was warmly welcomed on his return from England. He said that he was seriously concerned about the economic future. Ottawa would present an opportunity to extend South Africa's markets, but it was difficult to get markets as long! as she remained on the gold standard and the German treaty existed. i He had always respected the solid qualities of the British people, born of long experience of working with them and fighting them to the last ditch. That respect was heightened by his experience in the economic crisis. "Nothing," he said, "is fundamentally wrong with the centre of our Commonwealth. The national heart is sound and the national pulse beats well. The pound has never been worth 20 shillings since the war, and Was bound to fall. The General Election showed that the people were determined to stop the country drifting in sight of the breakers and demandjed a thorough reform."