SOUTH AFRICA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 8 April 1924, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA

DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT

SURPRISE SPRUNG BY GENERAL

SMUTS

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

CAPETOWN, April 7

In the Assembly General -Smuts announced that in view of the- Wakkerstroom hv-election result Parliament would be dissolved in a few days. He said the Government was doubtful after the Wakkerstroorn election whether it still enjoyed the confidence of the country. A mere Parliamentary majority was not enough as the Government was dealing with questions of policy which only a Government enjoying the confidence of tho country in addition to lhe confidence of Parliament, .should undertake. After General Smuts's statement the House adjourned. It is understood two appropriation hilts will be passed, sifter wliieli Parliament. will be dissolved. General Sniuls’s announcement- of a dissolution came, as a complete surprise in Llie House. From previous utterances it was not expected he would contemplate an appeal to the country so soon. The dissolution involves the lapse of several important- measures, including the Class Areas Bill and the SouthWest Naturalization Bill. Tlie decision involves the cancellation of the Prince’s visit as it is not desirable that he should ho here during the turmoil of a general election.

The Wakkerstroorn defeat reduces the Government nominal majority to eight, and deducting the Speaker and Mr Merrimnn, who is too ill to attend tho House, tlie working majority is only six. Tlie loss of Wakkerstroorn is attributed mainly to the turnover of tlie railway vole, which was annoyed by the, economies introduced by the Minister of Railways. A feature of comments on the Wakkerstroom election is that- it proved thatthe Nationalist-Labour pact will be a most important factor at the next- general elections. Tlie Gape Times says it is an urgent warning that the South African Party's house must be set in order by continuous organization, otherwise defeat at the next- general elections stares tho party in the face. 1 *" ■ ■ ■». -1 i.i