SOUTH-WEST AFRICA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 168, 17 June 1936, Page 11

SOUTH-WEST AFRICA

PROVINCE OF THE UNION. ACTION UNDER COVENANT. REPLY TO NAZI MOVE. (Unite-d Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received June 17, 9.50 a.m. CAPETOWN, June 16. South Africa proposes to administer South-West Africa as an integral portion of tlio Union by taking action under the League Covenant. The Union’s Judicial Commission emphasised that no limit ehoitld be placed oil such Aunimistration as long as the mandatory nation furnisheil an aiinuai report to the League. Uie Administration started so hopefully that the Union decided to institute selt-goveninient in 1923, when General, binuts concluded an agreement in London with two representatives of the German Government whereby the Union legislated for German nationals who automatically accepted naturalisation in January, 19124. The German language was recognised as the official one.

The Germans obtained a majority in the first elected Assembly, leading to a close compact between the English and Afrikanders.

Racial animosities developed, however, becoming acute in 1933 on the formation of Nazi organisations and the Hitler Jugend among school children. The registration now reported of sons of Germans, who were automatically naturalised, for military training in the Fatherland and labour services indicates the extent of these racial feelings. Although the German Consul attempted to explain that this was unwittingly done, the Germans have resigned from the Legislative Assembly and refused to serve on the Administrative Council, resulting in the Assembly-petitioning the Union to take South-West Africa over as a fifth province.