UNION IN TIME OF WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 136, 10 June 1937, Page 3

UNION IN TIME OF WAR

ENEMY WILL GET “BLAZES” SAYS MR. PIROW. ' "Whatever juristic theories either i South African artillerymen or any j foreign aggressor might entertain j about the constitutional position of ; Simonstown, the enemy will know [what’s happening: he will be receiv- ’ ing particular blazes.” i tn these words Mr. Oswald Pirow, I South African Minister of Railways and Harbours and Defence, restated I the Union s intention to honour In the I letter and the spirit the agreement made in 1922, whereby South Africa (undertook responsibility ror the land j defences of Simonstown, which is the • headquarters of the African Station ■ of the British Navy. I Mr. Pirow revealed that the scheme lof defence which the South African I Government is putting into operation i was drawn up by the Committee of i Imperial Defence; and said that be--1 fore very long the South African Air . Force would be carrying out co- : operating 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 Africa, 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 participial ion in a war oversea, the Government has always made it clear that the decision will rest with the Union Parliament.