SOUTH AFRICA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 9 April 1924, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA

DISSOLUTION ANNOUNCEMENT (By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Reuter’s Telegrams./ CAPETOWN, April 7. General Smuts, addressing the House c f Assembly, said that without - the full confidence of the country the Government was not prepared to carry on, and he therefore proposed, after passing the necessary .Appropriation Acts, to advise the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament. If possible, the necessary legislation would be passed by Thursday through ix>th Houses. Air Creswell asked whether the election would take place before- or at'tei tiie visit of the Prince of Wales, as il would bo distinctly inconvenient to hove the country in a turmoil whilst it was , entertaining the Prince. The Premier did not- reply. On tlie motion to adjourn, General Hertzog was sure the general public would welcome an adjournment and an opportunity of expressing their views. Air Creswell, speaking amid an uproar of cheers and counter-cheers, declared that front the day Parliament was elected on completely false issues the Labour Party had looked for this dissolution. Tiie last election was intended solely fqr the reduction of Labour representation, and they now accepted the Government’s challenge, confident that the people would reject the present Government.

After others had spoken the House adjourned.

DRAMATIC SCENE

CAPETOWN

-The scene in the Assembly was dramatic. It was evident that something unusual was in the air. There was a larger gathering in the public galleries than usual anxious to see what the repercussion of the Wakkerstroom resuit would be. There was great cheering and counter cheering when General Smuts, General Hertzog and other leaders entered the House also during the announcement of the result of the election, culminating in such an uproar that Mr Creswell had to speak at the -top of his voice when following General Smuts. Air Hoos, leader of the Nationalist Parly in. the Transvaal, commenting on the dissolution, said that in Hie event of the success of the party at the elections he sincerely hoped the Labour Party would consent to enter a coalition, as the presence of Labour Ministers iu the Cabinet would satisfy the country. Racialism was dead.

PRINCE’S VISIT TO BE DEFERRED

CAPETOWN, April 7. Tiie general election will be held in June, consequently the Government requested the Prince of Wales to defer ins visit to South Africa. AH arrangements in connection therewith are accordingly suspended.

THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE”

SMUTS’S CO AUNG STRUGGLE

CAPETOWN, April 8.

The severity of the struggle lacing General Smuts is emphasised by the Cape Times, Rand Mail, and Durban Mercury, which declare that lie is up against' the fight of his life, and urge that the South African Party organisations must be more firmly established, particularly in the country districts. The papers point to the pact between the Nationalists and the Labourites, the. efficacy of which was proved in the Wakkerstroom by-election as a new portentin Union election.

SENSATION ON THE RAND

CAPETOWN, April 8. , The news of tho dissolution caused a sensation on tlie Rand. Crowds of young Nationalists paraded the streets singing the old Republican national an. them and cheering. General Hertzog. Talk of a .republican South Africa is heard on all sides. Heavy falls are recorded all round on the Stock Exchange. The: Parliamentary members of the South African Party met and assured General Smuts of their cordial support of the course he had adopted.