SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 86, 12 April 1938, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS

OVERSEAS VISITOR’S REMARKS

PRAISE FOR GENERAL HERTZOG AND GENERAL SMUTS

[ Per Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, April 11

“It will be a bitter fight, but General Hertzog and General Smuts* will win.” This was the prediction of Mr Eugene C. Van Wyk, former private secretary to General Hertzog, Prime Minister of South Africa, on his arrival by the luxury liner Reliance, referring to next month’s general election in South Africa. In the last 13 years Mr Van Wyk has travelled 900,000 miles as lecturer on 90 cruises in all parts of the world. Mr Van Wyk referred to the aim of the Republic Party, led by Dr. Malan, to rally the young politicians, mostly Dutch Nationalists, and to cut the painter with the British Empire and establish a Republic of South Africa. He said they would not have the support of the public, although General Hertzog was the founder ot lhe Separationist Party. He was today one of the best friends of Great Britain. The Boers would never forget that he had secured for them equality of their language and brought about real co-operation in the Union.

Referring to Mr Smuts, Mr Van Wyk said, “He is the greatest statesman the British Empire has ever had. The combination with Geneial Hcrizog is ideal.”