The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1921. SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14583, 4 February 1921, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1921. SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

In the course of a few days the result of the South African elections will be known. The ultimate result is fraught with vivid interest for the nations which comprise the British Commonwealth. The result of tlie elections in 1915 and 1920 were as follows: 1915. 1C 30. South African Party .... 57 42 Unionists 41 26 Nationalists 28 4 4 Labour 5 2 1 The result of the last election was inconclusive and full of grave possibilities. General Smuts, Leader of the South African Party, was. as will be seen from the figures, able to carry on the government of the country only with the aid of the Unionists. General Hertzng, who leads the Nationalists, has adopted Republicanism and separation as his political creed, and though he protests that this will be accompanied along constitutional lines, the achievement of his object is actually impossible without civil war. He is regarded with strong and affectionate enthusiasm by his political followers, and in his personal feelings lie does not appear to be directly anti-English. Before the Boor War, it may be remembered, he was an Orange Free State judge, and during the war was a Boer general. He was Minister for Justice in General Botha’s first Union Cabinet, and he now practises as a barrister at Bloemfontein. When he is absent from the House, as frequently happens, his place is taken by Rev. Dr Malan, formerly a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, but now editor of the powerful Nationalist daily paper, De Burger. The party is held together by an anti-English feeling, which Is a heritage of the war. It is stated that a large proportion of the Nationalist Party who were, not adult in 1902 cherish this feeling strongly. In a patriotic endeavour lo stem the Republican menace the South African Party and the Unionist Party have agreed upon a fusion of their forces, and the prospects have consequently improved. Ten out of the thirteen members who have been elected to the Union Parliament without opposition in the present appeal to the country - belong to the South African Party, by which name the fusion is known. Sir Thomas Smartt, an Irishman, and leader of the defunct Unionist Party, was at one time a medical practitioner, hut is now head of “the Smartt Syndicate,'’ an agricultural undertaking of gome magnitude.

'IHo Unionist, Party was regarded as anti-Dutch, anil not Fonth African, and the Labour Party described it as "jingo-capitalist.” General Smuts is tno well known tn need description. Since the death of (iencral Botha he has played a leading role in South African and Imperial politics, and Ids great services during the European war give him an imperishable name in British annals. Me holds the confidence of the British and Dutrli forces which believe in tile future mission of (he Empire. Tiie Labour Parly is led by an Englishman. Limit.-Colonel F. It. P. Cresswelt. ; Ih- is regarded as an able Parliamen- ; farian. and has the reputation of being I afi upright politician, "sn far as his i Labour aims permit,” says a recent I writer on South African political parties, "lie supports the. Prime Minister because (iencral Smuts upholds the British connection, and because, in his opinion, General Smuts, of all the leadi ing politicians, is the most advanced, and will, with equal opportunities, do more for Labour than any of the others.” Tiie future peace of South Africa and its development as an integral part of the Empire depend on the triumph of General Smuts at the I coming polls. I| may he found that the Labour Parly will support him’ j against General Hertzog at a price if’ dm price demanded may nol prove to lie too great. Beyond the mere racial o" parly triumph is (he ideal of ordered progress as pari of the Commonwealth if l\albms which compose the British Empire, and if an unkind fate llirows 'he balance in favour of General Hertzes, South Africa will once more be■ic the scene of chaotic disorganisation and a source of additional anxiety to tiie British Government. So far (he efforts of General Smuts to unite English and Hutch patriots base been successful, and il must, he Imped that the polls will further reflect Ids wisdom and patriotism. It is a momentous Immfor South Africa, and not less so for the Empire.