SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 25

SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS

GENERAL BOTHA’S TRIUMPH. CAPETOWN, October 20. There is uncertainty regarding the results of the general election, but General Botha is confident. It seems clear that the Nationalists cannot hope to win more than 40 seats out cf 130. It is doubtful whether General Botha will command a majority without the Unionists’ support, but this is assured Labour is very weak. October 21. General Botha has been re-elected. General Smuts, Mr Sampson (the Labourite Whip), Sir Abe Bailey, and Sir P. Fitzpatrick were elected. Mr Cresswell (Labour) was defeated in two places. Messrs Poutsma and Andrews were also defeated. Mr Serfontein, a Nationalist who was released from prison during the rebellion, has been elected for Kronstad, defeating Mr Dewit, Minister of Justice. Mr J. B. Robinson (Independent) was elected for Randfontein, Sir D. Harris (Independent) for Beaconsfield, and Sir C. P. Crewe (Unionist) for East London. General Botha’s nominee for Potchefstroom, where the rebellion was hatched, was elected by a 320 majority. The striking feature of the results in the Wihar centres was the large Unionist majorities over the Labourites. October 22. The feature of the election is the complete collapse of Labour in the great urban constituencies. The Unionists made a successful raid upon the Cape constituencies, and the Nationalists were solidly successful in Orangia. Messrs Theron and Burton (Ministers) were defeated. General Botha is assured of a majority. October 23. The election returns show : Bothaites 41 Unionists 38 Independent 5 Nationalists .., 24 Labour 4 The Minister Stanheerden has been reelected, defeating Mr Malan, the leader of the Cape Nationalists. Sit T. Watt, Sir T. W. Smartt, and Mr Hertzog have been elected. The loyalists are especially delighted at the defeat of Mr Fremantle, the only Englishman of the Nationalists’ party, of which ho aspired to the leadership. He was mainly responsible for the bitterness of the campaign. October 24. Mr J. Joubert (Nationalist) defeated Sir Thomas Cullinan (Bothaite) for Pretoria North by a majority of 26. October 24. The final election figures are Bothaites 54, Unionists 40, Nationalists 27, Independents 5, Labour 4. It is understood that Mr Merriman lias been invited to accept the portfolio of Finance in the Botha Cabinet. PRETORIA, October 21. There was heavy polling throughout the Union. At Durban Mr Kentridge (Labour) defeated Mr Henwocd (Unionist) for Durban Central. JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 25. The president of the Trades Federation states that the Labour Party neglected the Trades Union organisation for the ballot box, only to find that the capitalist is greater in the ballot box than in the workshop. He predicts a condition forcing strikes in the near future. LONDON, October 18. The Times correspondent at Capetown reports that there is unparalleled bitterness over the elections. Out of 130 seats, only eight are uncontested. A complete split in the old South African Party is indicated. An analysis of the contests shows that 85 Ministerialists, 83 Nationalists, 39 Unionists, and 49 Labour candidates have come forward. There are only three three-cornered contests. The two parties have put aside differences until the war is finished, for the purpose of combating the common enemy. The Nationalist speakers’ malignity has aroused furious antagonism against General Botha, particularly among the poorer and more ignorant Dutch. It is impossible to predict the results of the voting on Wednesday, but a severe Labour set-back is expected. The correspondent thinks the Ministerialists will muster 50 members, which, if there are nearly 30 Unionists, will command control of the House. October 24. There is great gratification in England at General Botha’s triumph. The newspapers consider that General Botha’s personality was one of the main factors. They pay a generous tribute to the loyalty of a large section of the Dutch community. It is pointed out that the Nationalists hoped to have the support of a strong Labour party. The Labour debacle is attributed to public resentment at the crusade of class hatred in war time. All the Independents will support General Botha. October 24. The Times, in a leading article commenting on the victory achieved by General Botha, says he might well be able to come to London, where his experience and devotion to the welfare of the Empire would be invaluable in council. The reasons for similar visits from representatives of Australia and New Zealand are specially strong just now. It is plain that with the appointment of General Monro,

the enterprise at the Dardanelles,,. where the Australasians played so heroic a part, enters upon a new phase. No doubt the force of these considerations will not be lost upon Mr Bonar Law.