SOUTH-WEST AFRICA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 8

SOUTH-WEST AFRICA

It is denied in South Africa that the Union Government is taking a leading part for or against changes in the mandate system, with special reference to South-West Africa. This former German territory is under mandate to South Africa, and, as the cable message states, a commission is investigating the question of having it administered as a fifth province of the union. The move for this degree of incorporation came from the territory itself. In November, 1934, the Assembly, by 12 votes to 6, pas'sed a resolution asking for administration as a fifth province, with representation in both Houses of the Union Parliament. The request was not received with unqualified enthusiasm. The Administrator told the Assembly that South Africa had not adopted any policy on the question and "would have nothing to do with any proposal, no matter how camouflaged, which amounted to veiled annexation, or in any way violated the trust placed in the Union as the mandatory power." He added, even more significantly, that the taxpayers of the Union would not be anxious to assume any new burdens. There was a considerable time lag between this development and the beginning of the inquiry into conditions animating the request. The commission, which appears not to have reported yet, was appointed in April last year. It has as its members two judges, an advocate and an economist. The order of reference does not require a verdict directly for or against the proposed change of administration. The commission is charged to investigate the causes of dissatisfaction with the existing system of administration and to consider how it could be improved, paying due regard to the text of the request the Assembly made. These proceedings are sufficient to justify a claim that South Africa has not shown any, disposition to annex the mandated territory at all costs.