IN TIME OF WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20763, 25 June 1937, Page 16

IN TIME OF WAR

ENEMY WILL GET “BLAZES” Capetown, “Whatever juristic theories either South African artillerymen or any foreign aggressor might entertain about the constitutional position of Simonstown, the enemy will know what’s happening; he will be receiving particular blazes.” In these words Mr Oswald Pirow, South African Minister of Railways and Harbours and Defence, restated the Union’s intention to honour In the letter and the spirit the agreement made in 1922, whereby South Africa undertook responsibility for the land oefences of Simonstown, which Is the headquarters of the Africa Station of the Britsih Navy, Mr Pirow revealed that the scheme of defence which the South African Government Is putting into operation was drawn up by the Committee of Imperial Defence; and said that before very long the South African Air Force would be carrying out cooperating exercises with the navy. Mr Pirow’s statement was intended to be a reply to the Dominion Party, which is continually expressing the fear that South Africa will let Britain down in case of war; and to the Nationalists, who are always expressing the fear that Britain will drag South willy-nilly. Into the next war. The.real position has been rather obscured by some Government supporters who, in careless moments, have suggested that Simonstown has a similar relation to South Africa as Gibraltar has to Spain. On the general question of South African participation in a war oversea, the Government has always made it clear that the decision will regt with the Union Parliament.