PLAN OPPOSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22448, 18 June 1936, Page 13

PLAN OPPOSED

GENEBAL HERTZOG

DUTY TO THE LEAGUE SOUTH AFRICA'S SUPPORT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received June 17, 5.35 p.m.) CAPETOWN, June 16 The Prime Minister of South Africa, General Hertzog, in a speech in the House of Assembly, reaffirmed the Union's adherence to sanctions.

"We have no right to be unfaithful to the League merely because others are not going to be true to it." said General Hertzog. "If others are not prepared to face the possible outcome of continuing sanctions, that does not affect South Africa, which intends to support the League to the last.

"If the League collapses, South Africa at least will have the satisfaction of knowing that she is not among the countries which are running awa.v from their duty to the League. It is the duty of all the members of the Leaguo to meet their obligations and to show they are prepared to do so, no matter what the cost. "There should be no retreat, even if Italy declares war. If the League fails it will be for the sole reason that nations which should have fulfilled their obligations had not the moral courage or the moral strength to make tho necessary sacrifices. If the Leaguo fails, as it must if sanctions are abandoned, nothing will prevent another world war within 20 years."

OTHER DOMINIONS BRITISH VIEW SHARED • AUSTRALIA'S FIRM STAND LONDON, June 16 The evening newspapers give prominence to an announcement that the of Australia, Mr. J. A. Lyons, is said to have cabled to the High Commissioner, Mr. S. M. Bruce, intimating that Australia is anxious to see sanctions ended in view of the loss of the Italian market. The announcement has caused a flutter, especially among foreign correspondents, who suspect that London has inspired the Commonwealth to initiate the abandonment of sanctions and thereby enable the British Government to present a strong case in the House of Commons on Thursday, and simultaneously save its face on the Continent.

Actually, all the Dominions, except South Africa, favoured the dropping of sanctions. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, frankly explained the British reasons for the reversal of'policy, emphasising that the failure of League action had caused splits and fissures throughout Europe, and that a continuation of sanctions would make the situation worse. The Sun-Herald news service says Britain's attitude toward sanctions was outlined by Mr. Eden this afternoon at a conference with the High Commissioners of the Dominions, each of whom submitted his own Dominion's point of view.

NO DECISION MADE NEW ZEALAND CABINET [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] "WELLINGTON, Wednesday The New Zealand Government is not in a position yet to make a definite statement as to its policy respecting the lifting of sanctions against Italy. This was made clear this evening by the Prime Minister, Mr. M. J. Savage, when his attention was drawn to the London cablegram suggesting that the Dominions, except South Africa, favoured the lifting of sanctions. "We are in daily communication with the British Government on the question," said Mr. Savage, "and the whole matter is receiving our close and serious attention. However, I am not in a position yet to make a statement on our attitude and nothing can be said until we have received a reply from the British authorities to our latest communication."