AFRICAN TERRITORIES

Evening Star, Issue 21709, 2 May 1934, Page 9

AFRICAN TERRITORIES

THE BRITISH PROTECTORATES \ DOMINIONS SECRETARY'S STATEMENT (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. RUGBY, April 30. In the House of Commons the Dominions Secretary (Mr J. H. Thomas) stated that he had received no communication from the Government of South Africa containing General Hertzog’s statement in the Union Parliament with reference to the transference to the Union of the_ British protectorates in South Afriaa, but in view of the Press reports he thought it cpnvenient to state the position of the Government of the United Kingdom. He recalled _ the pledges given when the South African Bill was before the House of Commons in 1908, and on later occasions on behalf of the Governments in 1919 and 1925, that the House of Commons would have the fullest opportunity of discussing, and, if it 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 the white population had full opportunity of expressing their views, and any representations 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 in the House of Lords in July last. Copies were communicated to General Smuts while he was in England last year.