“ Within the Empire.”

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3491, 29 October 1926, Page 7

“ Within the Empire.”

General Hertzog 7 s Claim Defined. i Not Independence , But Autonomy . All recent pronouncements of General Hertzog apparently go to prove that his statement in Amsterdam, to the effect that his desire "was not for the independence of South Africa from the British Empire, but for a definite pronouncement of status, may be taken at face value.

[By Electric Cable—Copyright.—Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.!

SOUTH AFRICAN POSITION REASSURING. {Received Thursday, 9.20 p.m.) LONDON, Oct, 27. The first sitting to-day of the InterImperial Relations committee, under Lord Balfour’s chairmanship, has done much to confound the proposers of Imperial disruption. On the whole the press here has not given undue prominence to Gen. Hertzog's early declaration about South Africa’s independent status ceasing to be a matter of dispute, but there are indications that some foreign countries have been given a picture of General Hertzog as the Conference's stormy Petrel, intent Upon raising insuperable problems. However the atmosphere at this afternoon’s round table conversational discussions did not even mildly support such a view: "We haven’t got down to tin tacks, but there is not the slightest reason to expect that any serious trouble will arise,” was one Dominion representative’s comment to-night. Other assurances were that everything was going most happily, quite in line with General Hertzog’s Amsterdam interview. Indeed, a scrutiny of his half-dozen speeches in London, finds the phrase "Within the Empire”, several times inferable, if not in actual words. Those in close touch with official circles, share the .Optimism that this seemingly thorniest problem of the Conference, will not require the use of gardening gloves. They are more convinced that General Hertzog's second thoughts have more to do with trade than with international diplomacy. Recognition of Imperial Trade i Possibilities

League of Nations Questionnaire. After discussing foreign relations, the Dominion Premiers sat late this afternoon deliberating in what form they should reply to the League of nations Council’s: invitation. As a result of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s representations that each mandatory should slate its views on the Mandates Commission’s voluminous questionnaire, it is not improbable that a joint reply will be sent, firmly intimating that many of the subjects traversed in the questionnaire arc regarded as wholly within the mandatories administration. Later representations may be made to tho Council session through Sir Austen Chamberlain, that the Dominions, while welcoming tho closest examination of their work, do not appreciate an extension of that scrutiny to their domestic affairs. It is understood that mention Is made of tho possibility of an attempt to have Germany nominated to the Mandates Commission. Opinion outside the Conference is that this is unlikely to bo successful, because of recognition of the Impossible position It would create. This opinion is bound to be shared by France, whoso bloc vote on the League Council is equally certain to be used as a safeguard. MR COATES ENTERTAINED BY “TB.VIES.” (Received Thursday, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 27. Mr. Coates to-day was the guest at a luncheon of the Directorate of the “Times.” He is maintaining daily contact with the Dairy Board, both in New Zealand and London, as a result of threatened system of price control, cabled on Saturday. SOCIAL SIDE OF CONFERENCE. (Received Thursday, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 27. There was a brilliant gathering tonight at the Speaker’s reception to the Imperial Conference delegates, and visiting Dominion Parliamentarians dt the Speaker’s house. It is learned that Mr. Coates yesterday had a very pleasant chat with the Prince of Wales, who showed a close knowledge and the keenest interest in New Zealand, and her special' problems. The Duke of York’s forthcoming tour was also discussed, GENERAL HERTZOG’S UNTIMELY CLAIM. NOT OPINION OF SOUTH AFRICA. (Received Thursday, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 27. Sir H. Page-Croft, Conservative member for Bournemouth, opening the Empire Industries Association’s campaign at Stratford, stated that at the moment when it was abundantly clear that Britain’s life as an exporting nation, depended upon the Empire, General Hertzog had made a claim for independent national status for South Africa, which, If granted, would mean a dissolution of the Empire. He did not believe that General Hertzog's demand really represented South Africa, for persistence therein would entail the break-up of the South African Union. It was largely a fault of the British Government’s and electors, that such sentiments should bo expressed. It was upwards of a generation since Cape Colony gave preference to Britain, yet until two years ago, Britain had not responded. Even now her policy was niggardly, and unworthy of the spirit of Empire.

Even the Research Committee's discussions to-day revealed. South Africa as the keenest advocate of Empire exchange in all branches of research calculated to help Dominion producers of raw materials. It Is freely said that whether in the Conference Chamber or committee rooms, the spirit of the other Dominion representatives has done much to assure South Africans that the sentiment of General Hertzog’s “Tclegraaf” interview can be accommodated without straining the bond of unity. It is understood that Lord Balfour’s handling of the Inter-Im-perial committee has been a model of tact. General Hertzog’s abstention from several social functions arranged in honour of Dominion visitors, caused an impression to get abroad that he was suffering from political shyness, and prefers the privacy of his hotel. Apart from his own official announcement that he must conserve his health, those in daily contact with him say that General Hcrtzog is the reverse of this impression. He is most genial in the Conference room, and most affable in debate. Nevertheless he is a man wrestling with a difficult situation. Intimate friends declare that he is in duty bound to say something to placate the Back-Veldters. but even they know, as he does, which hand feeds them by trade ,and recognise what a force the Empire is in creating and protecting their markets. Well informed observers suggest that extreme African opinion can be met by the Union’s right to conclude itc own commercial treaties, and by wider use of Commercial Commissioners in foreign countries. It is suggested that General Hertzog will not find hostility to reasonable aspirations in this direction, if they do not clash with the principle of Empire preference.