Crisis in South African Parliament

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7065, 26 January 1933, Page 7

Crisis in South African Parliament

Smuts Wants National Government

IJERTZOG HAS CONFIDENCE

United Press Association —By Electric Tolegraph—Copyright Received Wednesday, 7 pan. CAPETOWN, Jan. 24.

There was unparalleled interest whon General Smuts moved in tho Assembly calling on the Government to resign in order to make way for tho formation of a National Government.

Tho debato was adjourned until tomorrow when tho Government expects a majority of eleven on the division to be takou.

General Smuts spoke brilliantly witnout recrimination, basing his claim on the national desire for racial peace ana the fact that General Ilertzog was now carrying out a non-gold policy despite his express pledges, that he would not remain in office if the Union quitted the gold standard. General Smuts declared his willingness to placo the initiative for the formation of a National Government in Hertzog’s hands. The financial and economic conditions of the Union we., so serious that they required a great national effort to retrieve them.

General Hcrtzog, replying, said the present Government was fully capable of dealing with all emergencies. His pledgo to resign referred only to the voluntary abandonment of gold. His Government must now defend the country against the disastrous consequences of a non-gold standard which General Smuts and his coadjutors had forced on the country.

Ilertzog moved the amendment declaring tho House had tho fullest confidence in the present Government. The debate is now likely to take a definite party turn when the House resumes to-morrow.