A BOLD STROKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11129, 8 February 1922, Page 6

A BOLD STROKE

SOUTH AFRICAN STRIKE PROPOSAL TO PROCLAIM A REPUBLIC. NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY. By Telegraph—Tress Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. CAPETOWN, February 6. The political character of the strike is indicated*by ,the fact that a big meeting of strikers enthusiastically adopted a resolution proposed by Mr Waterston, a member of the Legislative Assembly, affirming “that the time has come to put an end to the dominance of the Chamber of Mines and other financiers, and, therefore, the members of Parliament now in Pretoria are urged to proclaim a republic arid establish a provisional Government.” THE MODERATE SECTION OPPOSED TO REPUBLIC IDEA. CAPETOWN, February 6. Fifteen Nationalist and Labour members of Parliameht in Pretoria received a deputation transmitting the resolution of the strikers demanding a Republic. Mr ltoos, chairman of the | Transvaal Nationalist Party, said the party would do nothing unconstitutional, because, for one thing, it was only partly armed, and they would be shot down like dogs. Other Nationalist speakers said, they had had enough of republic by violence. Ultimately the meeting appointed a committee of three Nationalists and two Labourites t 0 consider the deputation’s request. A Johannesburg message states that a big meeting in the ' Town Hall strongly condemned Sunday’s 'republican resolution. The speakers exhorted the strikers--to stick to the economic issue. Mr Boydell, leader of the Labour Party, disclaims -any sympathy with Mr Waterson’s revolutionary proposals, and declares that in any ease a National Republic would be a social and economic disaster. At the 6ame time, he declares that'the policy of the Government is mainly responsible for the present situation. Mr Barlow, the only Labour member from the Free State, also repudiates Mr Waterson’a tactics, axd calls on' all the workers in the Free State to support constitutional authority" in any efforts to put down revolution. Other Labour members in Johannesburg also repudiate' the resolution. It is reported in Pretoria that the conference between the Premier and the Industrial Federation has been broken off, and that no agreement has been reached. , Reuter’s Teleerram. CAPETOWN, February 6. The authorities regard Mr Waterston, his Republican resolution, and his army of militants as discredited. A FIASCO THE COMMANDO DEMONSTRATION. CAPETOWN, February 6. The proposed concentration' of commandos this morning for the purpose of pulling out those who are employed on essential services proved a fiasco. Very few members of the commandos assembled! and the demonstration fell flat. This result has relieved the tension.