Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] SATURDAY, 19th MAY, 1934. SOUTH AFRICA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 May 1934, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] SATURDAY, 19th MAY, 1934. SOUTH AFRICA.

Sputh Africa figures at.present as one' of the most, properous of States. By a surprising economic recovery—largely due, of course, to the high place of gold—she has wiped out existing deficits and emerged with a substantial surplus. This, to the envy of her neighbours, she proposes to devote to the reduction of taxes and certain public costs. A people so favoured is naturally inclined to criticise its rulers leniently. Hence perhaps, the choice of the hour for introducing the Status Bill. In a country situated as South Africa is, with a composite population, prosperity may produce one or the other of two widely differing effects. It may stimulate the desire for complete independence, or, on the other hand, it may strengthen the sense of Empire

membership and all its benefits. General Smuts and the more broadminded among the Dutch have long inclined to the latter view. General Hertzog seeks to maintain a midway position by emphasising that “independent national freedom which we possess to-day in the fullest measure ’ ’ —even before the Statute of Westminster was implemented. But Dr. Malan sustains in full character the role of Kruger. It is certainly significant that the British have no outstanding figure. Thirty years ago Lord Milner wrote: “The Afrikander party —it does not always call itself by that name —is an all-pervading political force throughout South Africa.” The Boers number 57 per cent of the white population, and the British only 34 per cent.. In social life the two races mix well, _ and there are few or no solid regional blocks such as the French inhabit in Canada. Prince George, as his broadcast speech recalled, found everywhere a united welcome. But in politics the Dutch are far more compact than the rest, and those whom Dr. Malan calls “the jingoes of Natal” are uneasily aware of an unrelaxing Boer pressure.