SOUTH AFRICA

Evening Star, Issue 18543, 28 January 1924, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA

PARLIAMENT OPENED. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. CAPETOWN, January 26. Parliament was opened by the new Governor-General (the Earl of Athlone) with the accustomed ceremony. The scene in the Senate State Chamber was more brilliant than usual, owing to an unusually largo gathering of notable persons, both from the Union and overseas. The Earl of Athlone, in his speech, referring to the Imperial and Economic Conferences, said that if the resolutions passed by the latter were put into operation they would open up wider markets overseas for South African products. He gave details of new railway construction, including a line to Northern Zululand, which was urgently required for opening up a large tract, where cotton-growing was being successfully carried on. The railway traffic had shown a marked improvement, as a result of which the Government proposed to reduce fares and rates, especially on agricultural produce and commodities, materially affecting the cost of living.—Reuter. HOSTILE MOTIONS. LABOR AND NATIONALIST FORCES IN ACTION. CAPETOWN, January 27. _ Mr Cresswell, the Laoor Leader, will move in the Assembly on Tuesday that the House holds that the promises made by the Government at the Imperial and Economic Conferences impose no binding obligation on the dominions concerned until they are ratified by Parliament. He dissents from the contrary view put forward by the Premier, General Smuts, !a a public speech at Johannesburg. Mr Hertzog, the Nationalist Leader, will move that a proper coi -ensive solution of unemployment and tne increasing poverty in the country requires the earnest and immediate attention of the Government.—A. and N.Z. Cable.