SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14614, 15 March 1921, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

PARLIAMENT OPENED. DEALING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT. FEMALE SUFFRAGE (Australian and N.Z*' Cable Assn.) Received March 13, 5.5 p.m. CAPETOWN, March 11, At the opening of Parliament, Mr Krige was re-elected Speaker, and Senator van Hoerden was appointed president of the Senate, thus displacing ex-president Reitz, whov hod occupied the office since the Union. General Smuts, replying lo a deputation of women who presented a petition bearing 53,000 signatures seeking woman suffrage, said he would endeavour during the coming session to give an opportunity to deal with the question. The Government would not make the question a party issue. “You are supporting a great cause,” lie said, “which must and should win in this or a subsequent session.” The Duke of Connaught’s speech at the opening of Parliament contains no surprises. It stated that the terms n f the mandate for German South-west Africa will be submitted for members’ information and also referred to the stagnation in trade and industry, resulting in unemployment and social unrest throughout the world, and which was now suddenly affecting South Africa. Hence it is proposed to concentrate attention as far as possible on measures necessary to cope with the situation. The construction of railways is recommended to create additional opportunities for employment, also measures to safeguard certain industries against unfair competition from overseas, owing lo the existing normal conditions.