SOUTH AFRICAN PARTIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23809, 9 November 1940, Page 10

SOUTH AFRICAN PARTIES

The split between General Hertzog arid Dr. Malan, for the past 14 months united in opposition to General Smuts and the war policy of South Africa, indicates movements beneath the surface of Union politics. Though it may have other more important consequences, it is safer in the meantime to regard it simply as a split in the forces of opposition. Presently it may mean an addition of strength to the Government and-the war effort. The report that General Hertzog has advised his followers to support the Smuts candidate in a forthcoming by-election is a hopeful sign. It shows that his -differences with Dr. Malan are not trivial. These two became associated when, at the outbreak of war, General Hertzog proposed to Parliament that South Africa should remain neutral. General Smuts moved, and had carried, an amendment favouring participation in the war. - Against the 80 votes General Smuts marshalled, General , Hertzog obtained 67, the 37 United

Party Ministers and members who went with him being accompanied by Dr. Malan and 28 members of the Nationalist Party. .These latter were the irreconcilables of South African politics, the determined republicans who represent the old back-veld spirit of exclusive nationalism, tinctured with hatred of all things British. Since that time there have been occasional hints of discord between the new associates, especially over the republican issue. There have also been signs ef increasing Africander support for the war policy and effort. General Hertzog seems to admit this in his latest statement. Hence, if it is too early to decide that the party split is a positive move toward greater unity in prosecuting the war, it is possible to hope that this may be the outcome.