POLITICAL CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21400, 26 January 1933, Page 9

POLITICAL CRISIS

SOUTH AFRICAN UNION

ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT COALITION ADVOCATED GENERAL HERTZOG'S DEFENCE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 25, 7.15 p.m.) CAPETOWN, Jan. 21 There was. unparalleled interest in the Legislative Assembly to-day when the Leader of the Opposition, General Smuts, moved his motion calling on the Government to resign in order to make way for the formation of a National Government.

General Smuts spoke brilliantly and without recrimination. He based liiis demand on the national desire for racial peace and the fact that the Prime Minister, General Hcrtzog, was now carrying out a non-gold policy in spite of his express pledges that ho would not remain in office if tho Union quitted tho gold standard.

Tlie Leader of the Opposition declared his willingness to place the initiative for the formation of a National Government in General Hertzog's hands. He said the financial and economic conditions of the Union were so serious that it required a great national effort to retrieve them. General Hertzog in replying said the present Government was fully capable of dealing with all emergencies. His pledge to resign referred only to a voluntary abandonment of gold. His Government must now defend the country against the disastrous consequences of non-gold which General Smuts and his coadjutors had forced.

The Prime Minister moved an amendment declaring that the House has the fullest confidence in the present Government.

The debate now is likely to take a definite party turn when it is resumed tomorrow. The Government expects a majority of 11 on the division.