SOUTH AFRICA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2126, 7 December 1920, Page 6

SOUTH AFRICA.

THE NEW PARTY. OPENING OECAMPAIGN. By Cflble. — Press Association. — Copyright. (A. & N.Z.) CAPE TOWN. Dec. 5. General Smuts opened the New South African Party campaign in Pretoria. After giving reasons for recommending the dissolution of Parliament, he said his appeal for the formation of a new party had met with a great response from moderates of all parties, who desired to escape from the present dangerous impasse, to secure racial peace and internal development of the country. Even many in the ranks of the Nationalists and Labour were weary of barren party cries. What was happening to-day? It was not a mere party matter, but a national event of the first importance. He reviewed the question of the Imperial connection and declared that the secession movement, like a flash of lightning, had made moderates suddenly realise the danger ahead, threatening the peace and unity of South Africa. He commended the League of Nations and the British Empire unity movement. He declared that it was nonsense to call the latter movement Imperialism.