GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18021, 21 February 1922, Page 7

GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS.

INVESTIGATION BY A BOARD.

TO PRECEDE SETTLEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z. CAPETOWN, Fob. 19. At the opening of the South African Union Parliament, the Governor-General's Speech referring to the striko stated that a board would be appointed to consider the changes necessary to enablo the gold mining industry to be conducted on a sound economic basis, so an to afford employment for the largest possible number of persons dependent on the mines.

General Herzog, Leader of the Nationalist Party, gave notice to move for tho appointment of a Select Committee to consider means of settling the strike.

Tho Prime Minister. General Smuts, explained his efforts to secure a settlement, and said that neithor side had assisted the Government by nominating members to the proposed settlement board. Parliament would, as the last resort, be the venue of a permanent settlement, but it could not act without impartial and direct information. Strikers were returning to work in small numbers, and no doubt when they 'realised that Parliament could not take immediate action the strike would be ended. The men had behaved well in spite oi certain incitements, and were entitled to fair treatment. Funds were running out, and the sooner they resumed the better for themselves and the country.