WAR DEBATE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9954, 25 April 1918, Page 7

WAR DEBATE

IN SSUTH AFRICAN ASSEMBLY QUESTION OF A REPUBLIC. Gy T«lerr»Ph—Preai Association—Copyright Australian and N.2. Cable Atsoclatloa, (Received April 24, 7.20 p.m.) CAPETOWN, April 23During the war debate in the Assembly Hertzog denied! the statement that the Nationalist propaganda was intended to hurt the sensibilities of the British or that ho had done anything treacherous or seditious. He maintained that the rights of self-govern-ment • had been infringed by the Government's war policy and the woolpurchase scheme. The Government was treating the British Government's requests as commands. If the door was closed on a peaceful reform of the constitution the result would be violence and force of arms. The Nationalists were not trying to seduco - the people from their allegiance, but trying to make it clear that they would not stand under the rule of Britain. "He was perfectly content to stand undor the King so long as South Africa obtained exactly the same freedom as Britain under her. own Parliament. He insisted that they owedi no allegiance to the British Parliament and argued that only along peaceful lines could they hope for co-oporation of both races. He did not despair, reaching this. He realised, that they could not get independence unless the King gave ItGeneral Botha; replying, said Hertzog now agreed -that a republic was impossible without force of arms. Why then play with fire! He declared that secret meetings had been held, and already 8000 people had been sworn in. Unless this Mas certain. The talk about a republic to-, day was hypocrisy. South. Africa was: perfectly free. The Imperial Govrn-. ment interfered with no acts of Parloament, but they must realise that they were British subjects and could not owe allegiance tc tho King and not to the Parliament. He had information which made him regard matters most seriously. He warned them that this kind of talk nst stop. What could civil war lead to but ruin and 1 disaster? General Botha, concluded with an im4 passioned appeal to members to help to make peace and order prevail an South Africa. : Hertzog said he quite agreed with the Premier's appeal for peace. .

ALS/IGE-LQBRfIINE LANDTAG } REFUSAL TO DISCUSS BUDGET. \ By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyriah* Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. . AMSTERDAM, April 23. The Landtag of Alsace-Lorraine refused to discuss the Budget because discussion of the country's future M. prohibited. GERMANY AND HOLLAND CRITICAL SITUATION IN RELATIONS. By Telccrapli—Press Association— Copyrlgl»» Australian and N. 55 Cable Association. ■ LONDON, April 23. The "Daily News" states that the Foreign Office hyslearnt that relations between Germmy and Holland are very strained as the result of a quarrel regarding tno supply of gravel and sand from Holland to Germany. The situation is icgarded with anxiety in official circles, as Germany has delivered an ultimatum, with a time -limit. AN AGREEMENT REACHED. AMSTERDAM, April 23. The "Sandelsblad" states that a German-Dutch ngieemcnt has been reached regarding Dutch concessiors for the. transit of sand and gravel, and the transport -.f various necessities not intended for military purposes by rail through Limburg, and for a settlement regarding tiio Rhino River traffic.