SOUTH AFRICA DECIDES

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 September 1939, Page 8

SOUTH AFRICA DECIDES

CO-OPERATION WITH EMPIRE i PRIME MINISTER OVER-RULED [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, September 5. The South African House of Representatives passed a resolution in favour of co-operation with the rest of the British Empire and breaking off relations with Germany. This was done in accordance with an amendment by the Minister for Justice (General Smuts) and contrary to a motion by the Prime Minister (General M. Hertzog). General Hertzog read a declaration of policy of South Africa’s relations with the various belligerents. These he said, should remain unchanged, as if war had not broken out. Existing obligations with Great Britain should continue unimpaired. The contractual obligations regarding the naval base at Simonstown should be carried out. General Hertzog moved that South Africa’s attitude to the countries at war should be the same as before war was declared. General Smuts said that the Union should take all the necessary step l ’, for the defence of its territories. It should refuse to adopt neutrality and should sevei* relations with Germany. General Hertzog’s course would force South Africa to take sides one way or the other. If they parted from the Empire now, when the German demand for the return of South-West Africa came to the point of the bayonet, they would stand alone.

General Smuts added that his policy was to sever relations with Germany and have no trade or truck with her. The real issue went far beyond Danzig. The future security of South Africa depended on her not dissociating herself from the Empire. She might not be able fully to participate in the present war on the same scale as in the Great Wai’;, as she must safeguard home interests. He moved an amendment calling for the severance of relations with Germany and continued co-operation with the rest of the British Empire. General Hertzog’s motion was defeated and the amendment was carried by 80 votes to 67.

Colonel W. R. Collins, who fought against the British in the South African War, seconded the amendment. It is, thought in Cape Town that General Hertzog will resign, and that the Governor-General (Sir Patrick Duncan) will call for the formation of a. Government that will co-operate with Britain. A Reuter’s message from Cape Town says it is expected that General Smuts will form a National Government. GENERAL HERTZOG RESIGNS. (Recd. September 6, 11.45 a.m.) CAPE TOWN, September 5. General Hertzog has resigned, and General Smuts is forming a Ministry. General Hertzog’s'motion, along the lines of the declaration of policy cabled earlier, was defeated also by 80 votes to 67. The Governor-General has refused General Hertzog’s request for a general election. RELIEF IN NATAL. LONDON, September 5. The “Times’s” Durban correspondent says that Natal received the news of General Smuts’ victory with, relief. The public had been flabbergasted by General Hertzog’s favourable references to Herr Hitler. INTERNMENT OF GERMANS • CAPE TOWN, September 4. The Senate Bill, enabling a new Senate to be constituted while the old one still exists, was passed at all stages. In all British African colonies regular forces have been mobilised and measures taken for defence. In the former German colony of Tanganyika the internment of German male adults has moved smoothly, and there has been no hint of resistance. The internment of Germans is already complete in the main centres. There was no hint of resistance.

Sedulous Nazi propaganda has not affected the territory’s 4000 Germans.