NEW ERA OPENED.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17994, 12 April 1930, Page 7

NEW ERA OPENED.

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS. RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN. GENERAL lIERTZOG’S SPEECH. Under] Press Assn.-— Eire. Tel.—Copyright. (Received April 12, 10.5 a.m.) CAPETOWN, April 11: The Premier's vote gave General Smuts tiie opportunity to review relations with Britain. Ho welcomed the announcement that General llcrlzog w r as going to Geneva, and said a great deal of good work might be done at the Imperial Conference in establishing closer reciprocal trade relations. He hoped Soutli Africa would give more preference to Britain despite Mr Snowden’s policy. The Premier then surprised the House by cordial references to Britain. He said that while it w’as South Africa’s policy to establish good terms with all the world everything should be done io ensure the closest relationship with Britain and the other Dominions. The possibility of changes in the British Government introduced an element of uncertainty into the preferential system, consequently the Government maintained a quid pro quo system.

He added: “We are always ready to give Britain all and more than she is entitled to on the basis of hand for hand. In appointing ambassadors to foreign countries we have no intention to act in a spirit of hostility to Britain, butjjoulh Africa must act as a free country.” It is believed that the 'debate heralds a new era in Soutli African polities.