TRANSFER TO UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27241, 18 November 1949, Page 7

TRANSFER TO UNION

British Protectorates In South Africa MOVE BY MALAN EXPECTED NZPA—Copyright Rec. 8 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 17. The South African Prime Minister, Dr D. F. Malan, is expected to formally approach the British Government early in the New Year regarding the transfer to the Union of ; ; the three British protectorates, Basutoland, Bechuanaland, and Swaziland, N says the Johannesburg correspondent' of The Times. The approach, it is believed. will take the form of a direct request rather than addresses from the Union Parliament to his Majesty as provided for in the South Africa Act.

The South African Government’s attitude is understood to be that the Statute of Westminster and. the status of the Union Act have so altered the relationship between the Union and Britain that the terms of j the South Africa Act no longer apply and that negotiations for the transfer of the protectorates should be between the two Governments.

The South Africa- Act, in which the transfer of the protectorates was anticipated, provided that both Houses of the Union Parliament should present addresses to his Majesty asking for the transfer of protectorates to the Union Government..