SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14536, 7 December 1920, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

4_ NEW PARTY'S CAMPAIGN OPENED. FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT. THE MODERATES AWAKENED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received December 6, 5.5 p.m. CAPETOWN, December 5.

General Smuts opened the New South African Party. Campaign in Pretoria. After giving reasons for recommending the dissolution of Parliament, he said his appeal for the formation of a new party had met with a great response from the Moderates of all parties who desired to escape from the present dangerous impasse and secure racial peace and internal development of the country. Such racial unrest and wild and dangerous talk about breaking with the British Empire had driven many into their ranks. The Nationalists and Labour Party were barren of party cries. What is happening to-day? It was not a mere party matter, but a national event of the first importance. lie reviewed the question of Imperial connection, and declared that the secession movement, like a flash of lightning, lias made the Moderates suddenly realise the dangers ahead, threatening the peace and unity o%Soulh Africa. He commended the League of Nations, the British Empire, and the Unity movement, and declared that it was nonsense to call the latter movement Imperialism.