NEW CAPE CABINET

Grey River Argus, 7 September 1939, Page 8

NEW CAPE CABINET

Of Three Parties GENERAL SMUTS’ MOVE. GENERAL ELECTION REFUSED. CAPE TOWN, September 5. General Hertzog has resigned, arid 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. (Received September 7, 2.48 a.m.) CAPETOWN, September 6. The acceptance of General Smuts’ amendment as cabled yestreday, led to cheering in the streets. Generals Smuts and Hertzog were both members of a Coalition Government that, was formed in 1933. General Hertzog’s Nationalist and General Smuts’ South African Parties hold 109 of the 150 seats in the House. General Smuts’ supporters favour the severance of relations with Germany,, while the Opposition, consisting.of Dr. Malan’s New Nationalists (otherwise Republican) Party, which holds 27 seats!, voted for General Hertzog. General Smuts is expected to include the Dominion Party, holding ten seats, and the Labour Party,, with four seats in the new Cabinet.

Soviet’s Quest FOR PACT WITH JAPAN. MOSCOW TALKS. (Received September 7, 2.35 a.m.) [lndependent Cable.] MOSCOW, September 6. Foreign observers report that the Japanese Ambassador, Mr Togo, and the Soviet Vice-Cominisar for Foreign Affairs, M. Lozovski, have begun preliminary talks covering Russo-Japan-ese relations, and aimed at the settlement of outstanding friction. Mr Togo said he understood that Tokio was examining her idea, but he was not instructed to take the initiative for a Russo-Japanese non'-aggres-sion pact. Japan Neutral FORMAL NOTIFICATION. TOKIO, September 5. The Foreign Office has formally notified the belligerents and the United States, of Japanese neutrality. BRITISH WAR CABINET. LONDON, September 5. Additional appointments to the British War Cabinet were announced yesterday afternoon. Lord Macmillan was appointed Minister in Charge of Information. Mr. Ronald Hibbert Cross was appointed Minister for Economic Warfare.

Britain and France

LEADERS’ EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES. RUGBY, September 5. The King has received the following reply from President Lebrun: "I thank you-for the message you have been so-kind to send me at. tnis solemn occasion in the destiny oi out two. countries, which are uaited once mere in defence of their honour and. freedom. 1 The British people are making ready as they did 25 years ago in lhe reign of your august lather, to engage side by side with the French peop’e in the most noble undertaking -10•siStance to one of the most-fiateiul acts of aggression recorded in nistory. In the name of France, 1 salute the British people with emotion. The idea which inspires France and Britain, and their confidence in the strength of their union, will make them invincible.”

M. Daladier, thanking Mr Chamberlain for his moving message, says: “Our two nations know they nave done everything to preserve peace. They are resolved, after aggression so brutal and unjust, whereof Poland is the victim, to associate their efforts fraternally, until victory is theirs. SUPPORT FOR BRITAIN. [British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, September 4. Close .upon the remarkable rally of Dominion opinion behind Britain there .comes evdience from other .parts of the oversea Empire and British mandated territories of the sympathy and support which is forthcoming for the United Kingdom in the .struggle upon which it has embarked for liberty and law in the relations of European States. Not the least remarkable is the manner in which both Arabs and Jews in Palestine have demonstrated their wish to give assistance in the overthrow of the Nazi tyranny. In neighbouring Transjordan a similar spirit is abroad and the Emir Abdullah Ibn Hussein has expressed to the Colonial Secretary his “wholehearted loyalty and that?of his people.” This year Britain made constitutional changes in Transjordan which permitted setting up democratic forms of government, and this trust has been repaid in this crisis with this welcome response. A practical offer of help which Britain has accepted with deep appreciation came to-day from the Government. of Nepal, which announced its willingness to send B,OOP Napalese troops for service with the forces in India during the present emergency.

PARLIAMENT TO ADJOURN. LONDON, September 5. Mr. Chamberlain, in the Commons, announced that, on Thursday, he will ask Parliament to adjourn until September 13, unless special circumstances necessitate its recall. BRITISH RESTRICTION ON CABLEGRAMS. NEW YORK, September 5. Britain officially advises that urgent messages and urgent Press messages cannot .be accepted for any Empire country, except Canada. FRENCH LEGISLATORS. LIABLE TO SERVE. PARIS, September 5. A decree repeals the exemption of members of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies for military service. GENERAL GODLEY. LONDON, September 5. General Godley has made an offer to Mr Jordan, to serve in any capacity. STATEMENTS BY LEADING JEWS. NEW YORK, September e. The United Press London correspondent says that the Jewish Agency through Dr. Weizmann, has assured Mr Chamberlain that the "Jews will stand by Britain, and will fight on the side of the democracies.” Mr Chamberlain expressed his “warm appreciation.” The chief rabbis, Herzog and Uziel, have cabled to Mr Chamberlain and asked him to pass on the following message to the King: “Heartfelt blessings and fervent prayers of Palestine Jewry for Britain’s victory in heroic stand against might, and for ultimate world peace.”

AUSTRALIAN RIFLES. i SYDNEY, August 17. His statement that practically half the rifles in stock at the Lithgow Small; Arms Factory were inefficient was confirmed ■ by the Minister for Supply, Mr Casey, declared Senator W. P. Ashley. The confirmation, he held, was contained in Mr Casey’s reply to a suggestion that rifles, sighted for Mark VI ammunition be reconditioned. • The Minister’s answer was that the department’s policy was to hold the rifles until required for conversion to the heavy barrel to suit rifle club requirements. The rifles, he added,, would not be converted until completion of the manufacture of machine-guns.

SWISS GIFT TO RED CROSS. NEW YORK, September 5. Switzerland announces a gift of 50,000 dollars to the Red Cross, and urges a similar organisation for war prisoners. Chilians Hint FOR RUSSIA TO FIGHT. IN .FAR EAST. (Received September 6, 10.45 p.m.) CHUNGKING, September 5. The Chinese Government is withholding any statement that would be likely to be interpreted as indicating its attitude toward the European situation. The position is a most complicated, and delicate one for Ch*n?.. The official Chinese Army Journal however, urges Russia to take more positive steps in the Far East, now that any danger t 0 her western frontier has been removed. DENMARK'PROHIBITS EXPORTS. COPENHAGEN, September 5. The Government has forbidden the export of over 50 products, including jute goods, margarine, soap, footwear, tyres, tubes, and all chemicals.

Legislative Council

APPROVES WAR DECLARATION. PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Sept. 6. Unanimous approval of the action taken by the New Zealand Government in declaring the existence of a state of war against Germany, was expressed at the meeting of the Legislative Council this afternoon, on the motion of the Leader of the Council, Hon. D. Wilson, seconded by Hon. W. Perry. Mr. Wilson said they had now reached a time when deeds and not words must decide the destiny of New Zealand. It was a light between democracy and dictatorship, and they must he prepared 'to prove on the battlefield their loyalty to lhe principles for which they stood. Hon. W. Perry said they must win this war at whatever cost, ami whatever sacrifice, because upon the result of the struggle depended their continued existence as a free peopie. The Council adjourned at 2.55 p.m. until to-morrow.

N.Z. Military Camps SALVATION ARMY EXPECTATION. WELLINGTON, September 6. Plans made by the Salvation Army to provide social services for men who may be put into military camps were outlined by Colonel Grattan, Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army. He said: “We are not waiting until the men are in camp. We want to be there to receive them. We have all our plans laid.” National Reserve ADVICE TO RECRUITS. CHRISTCHURCH, September 6. Recruits for the National Military Reserve are asked to help the Government by offering their services without restriction. This was emphasised by' Major H. M. Foster, Area Staff Officer, in a statement to the newspapers yesterday. “According to the situation, certain units will be required,” Majoi- Foster said. “In peace time, those offering their services are organised into companies for certain purposes and for keeping touch. Those companies are practically reserve formations from which, as required, the military authorities can form mobilised units. “Therefore lhe best help that these reservists who have recently joined up can give, and those who, with more foresight joined up earlier, is that those posted to units in peace should attend such parades as their company commander may call. The remainder should hold themselves in readiness to come out in short notice if and when requested.” Major Foster added that it was not helping the Government scheme if men in key positions in civil life filled in registration cards without recording that they did hold key positions. It was even worse for them to come and join units and then have to be drawn out afterwards, as had already happened in a few cases in Z company, which was mobilised on Saturday. Major Foster said: “No army can succeed unless civil life, on which the army depends, can be kept going. Key men, therefore, will best serve their country by redoubling their efforts in the industries in which they serve.” WELLINGTON, September 5. In the preparation of emergency precautions schemes for metropolitan areas, the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) in a statement issued to-day said it was considered inadvisable, as he understood was contemplated by some individual local authorities in several of the metropolitan areas, to prepare their own schemes for their own districts. Natural disasters, he said, did not take any notice of artificial boundary lines. If such a calamity occurred, men enviously the whole of the people in the area affected were concerned. “Where in a metropolitan area,” the Minister said, “there are a number of local districts, then there is one obvious course for them to adopt. The right thing for them to do is to P OOl their resources and set up an emergency precautions organisation which will cope with the requirements of-the whole of the metropolitan district, i cannot to o strongly urge this course, and I can only hope that the good sense and judgment of local aulhoiities will prevail.”

Auckland Precautions WHARVES CLOSED AT NIGHT. AUCKLAND, September 6. Arrangements to close all the city wharves from 6 p.m. until 7.30 a.m. have been made by the Auckland Harbour Board, according to a statement made at a meeting of the board by. the chairman (Mr. W. B. Darlow). Although this might cause inconvenience. he said, he felt that the public would appreciate the necessity for such a precaution. Mr. Darlow also said that it was as well for the board to know that all possible steps were being taken to protect shipping using the port and to preserve the board’s propertv. At a later stage, Mr. E. J'. Phelan said that he thought that it was an opportune time to tell the Government that all the board’s resources were at its disposal should they be required. Mr. Darlow said that everyone would realise that the board would do everything it possibly could to assist the Government. N.Z. REFRIGERATED PRODUCE. WELLINGTON, September 6. Freight contracts for the carriage of New Zealand refrigerated produce to Great Britain are at present under consideration in London. This was announced in. the House of Representatives last night by the Minister for Marketing (Mr. Nash), who said during discussion on Tie estimates of the Marketing Department that certain offers which had been made by the shipping companies were now being considered.

Sawmills Busy WITH DEFENCE ORDERS. WELLINGTON, September 5. The Secretary of the Dominion Sawmillers’ Federation (Mr. Seed), says that already orders have been placed, and mills are busy cutting and commencing the delivery of timber supplies for. immediate and mosturgent requirements of the defence

authorities. The Federation is confident that every member will respond to whatever call may be made upon him, in. implementing the Federation’s undertaking. The Federation has conveyed to the Government its desire for the fullest possible co-op-I eration and is offering the services of the Federation in any direction, mr. Sullivan expresses his thanks and appreciation, and states that the offei will be borne in mind, and the Government will get into touch with the Federation for any assistance that may be required. Appeal From Samoa TO I.R.A. MEMBERS. (Received September 6, 11.35 p.m.) APIA, September 5. An appeal has been signed by Irishmen and by people of Irish descent resident) ib Western Samoa, to be sent to the Prime Minister at Wellington, and thence forwarded to other countries, with a request that they assist. It also has been given to .'the press to be broadcast. It says: ’Tn these disturbing days of war, in which forces of terrorism and fury have been let loose upon the world, and In which the future of civilisation, which we hold so dear, is beset, we, being native sons or Eire, or persons of Irish descent, living overseas, do earnestly appeal to those of our countrymen who are members of the Irish Republican Army to refrain from hostile or subversive activities directed againsl the British Crown and Empire. We feel that, in these grave days in which aggression and oppression are rife, a unites British Empire is indespensable to the combating of those forces of evil which obviously now seek not only to destroy it and its peoples, but which also, we believe are directed to overthrow Christianity. We also urge all Irishmen throughout the world, whether resident in the British Empire or in foreign lands, to further our cause by publishing ana disseminating our appeal, which we feel confident will not be made 111 vain.” • • • •••••’ TROTSKY ON THE PACT. NEW YORK, September 5. : The United Press Mexico City correspondent says that M. Trotsky interviewed, stressed the chaos produced among .international .ideologies of the world by the German treaty. He said: “Has ’not; the German worker lhe right to spit in the faces of his teachers of yesterday?)Without doubt the workers will do it. The only merit of the pact is in unveiling the truth. It has broken the Anti*Comintern Pact’s back. From all countries, particularly France and the United States, comes testimony, of a sharp crisis in the ranks of Comintern Powers, with departures of imperialist patriots, on the one hand, and internationalists on the other. The world proletariat will step over the treason of the Kremlin, and also the cadaver of the Anti-Comintern Pact.”

BRITISH SOLDIERS. ASSIGNED TO FARM WORK. LONDON, September 5. An official statement says that the War Office is assigning soldiers to assist in the harvest, until September 20, farmers paying the soldiers appropriate rates. TRANSJORDAN MESSAGE. (Received September 6, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, September 5. The Emir of Transjordan in a message to the King declared: “In the same spirit with which my father took part with George the Fifth in the last Great War, so also to-day I, and my people stand fast beside you. T take this opportunity to affirm and support your cause, and express loyalty and sympathy in this critical houi'."