SOUTH AFRICA.
(By Cable.) THE POLITICAL SITUATION. CAPETOWN April 7. Nationalist sources assert that_ General' Smuts has approached the Nationalists, Unionists, and Labourites with a proposal to form a "best man" Government. The Nationalists were willing to co-operate provided the Ministerialists did not oppose the Republican movement. General Smuts declined these terms. The Labourites also declined to co-operate with General Smuts. —Renter. April 8. Following the failure of recent overtures to form a " best-man " Government, the general opinion is that General Smuts will carry on with the support of the Unionists, while the Labourites will refrain from, defeating the Government, thereby frustrating the economical and social reforms to which they are committed. THE RAND MINES. CAPETOWN, April 7. Last year's, crisis in"connection with the low-grade mines, which was by the rise in gold values, has been revived owing to a sudden drop in the gold premium, with a value at 110 s. Last month was said to be one of the most disastrous in the history of the industry. The drop in the gold premium was due to an improvement in the trade position of Britain and to the large exports of gold. If it continues opinion on
the Rand is that many of the low-grade mines will be seriously affected and will probably be compelled to close.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3448, 13 April 1920, Page 18
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218SOUTH AFRICA. Otago Witness, Issue 3448, 13 April 1920, Page 18
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