VERY BITTER FIGHT.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20286, 11 April 1938, Page 3

VERY BITTER FIGHT.

SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTION. EX-SECRETARY'S PREDICTION. HERTZOG AND SMUTS WILL WIN. [By Telegraph.—Press Association! AUCKLAND, April 11. "It will be a very bitter light, but General Hertzog and General Smuts will win." This was the prediction of Mr. E. C. Van Wyk, a former private secretary to General Hertzog, Prime Minister of South Africa, on the arrival of the luxury liner Reliance to-day, when referring to next month's general election in South Africa.

In the last 13 years Mr. Van Wyk has travelled 900,000 miles, as a lecturer, on 9TJ cruises to all parts of the world.

Mr. Van Wyk referred to the aim of the Republic Party led by Dr. Malan to rally young politicians, mostly Dutch Nationals, and lo cut the painter with the British Empire and establish a Republic of South Africa. Mr. Van Wyk said they would not have the support of the public. Although General Hertzog was the founder of the Separationist Party, he was to-day one of the best friends of Britain. The Boer§ would never forget that he secured for them equality of their language and brought about real co-opera-tion in the Union.

Referring to General Smith Mr. Van Wyk said: "He is the greatest Statesman the British Empire has ever had. The combination with Geeeral Hertzog is ideal."