The Dominion. FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1917. SOUTH AFRICA AND THE EMPIRE
, m , an. immediate view, and par Vwularly to thoso who have not followed the recent course of events in bouth Africa, tho debate in the Union Assembly which is reported yo-da.y may seem to present alarming teatures. Even in the passages ox she debate, however, there is a good deal to suggest that General Botha and those who stand with him in defending tho Union and the "Imperial connection, have little to fear from General Hertzog and his antilmpenal minority—officially known as the Nationalist Party. Nothing could be in more striking contrast than the definite stand taken by General Botha and his supporters, and their uncompromising denunciation of tho anti-Imperial propaganda, and thtf lame and almost apologetic terms in which tho Nationalist loader contended that he was entitled to conclude a "a pro-re-publican propaganda." At its face value his statement that he does not advocate a republic to-day, and realises that there is no hope of the establishment of a republic until all of the people ask Britain for independence, is practically an admission that the cause to which . rfe is fanatically devoted, if it is not dead, is at least hopelessly discredited. It is quite clear that General Hertzog and those who stand with him have been indicted and attacked not because they have any prospect o£ gaining the upper hand but because they arc regarded as dangerous mischief-makors, deVotcd to fomenting . racial dissensions, and ablo in this way to in some degree injure a cause they cannot hope to overthrow. General Hertzog professes to believe that all sections of the people of South Africa may ultimately bo brought to sharo his views, hut in actual fact the essential aim of his agitation is to draft the white people of the Union into two hopelessly opposed: camps. The Boor and British loaders who so vigorously denounced General Heiitzog and his propaganda in the debate under notico are as definitely defending the unity and national welfare of South Africa as tho maintenance of tho Imperial tie.
The standing of the Nationalists has been twice put to tho test sinco thc_ war broko 'Out, and on nach occasion with results which leave it-in no doubt that they represent a, comparatively small minority of the total population of the Union. Tho first test was imposed in the abortive rebellion of 19W. It is an answer to all that tho Nationalists have to say about being still denied freedom that tho rebellion was suppressed not by Imperial forces but by the people of the UnioUj under Boer leadership. Equally definite evidence that the Nationalists are a discredited party was supplied at the general election of 1915. It was said of this contest that no election in or outside South Africa was ever fought more keenly, and that never had feeling, especially in tho country districts, run so high. The keen interest awakened was indicated in unprecedcntedly heavy polling. At the first general election for the Union Parliament, in 1910, the average poll amounted to some 60 per cent, of the registered voters. In October, 1915, 74.5 of the- electors went to tho poll. Tho outcome of this hard-fought contest was that the Nationalists won 27 seats in a House of 130. The South African Party, led by General Botha, won 54 seats, the- Unionists 40, Labour 4; and in. five constituencies independent members were returned. It is true that all these parties arc divided on questions of domestic policy, but they are firmly united on broad questions of national and Imperial policy. That this is tho state of affairs to-day was made quite evident in the late debate. The Unionist and Labour leaders were not less emphatic than General Botha in denouncing the distempered agitation of General Hertzog and his Nationalist following. In all, 257,493 votes were cast in the election, and tho total poll of tho Nationalists was 78,301. In effect the electorate declared by more than a two to one. majority "against neutrality in Imperial affairs and racialism in domestic affairs, as well as against tho 'armed protest' as a method of imposing such a policy on tho country." The Nationalist showing at the polls, if anything, exaggerates the actual strength of the party. For instance, 34,000 of the 78,301 Nationalist votes were- polled in Gape Colony, and it is said that a majority of the Cape Nationalist loaders would _ hotly deny that they are rebels or in any way animated by ill-will or antagonism to tho flap;. The rebellion fiasco certainly indicated that the number of those who arc prepared to carry General Heutzog's ideas to their logical conclusion is much smaller than the uumbei; of tlioso who voted for Nationalist candidates in 7015.
'J.'lio speakers other Ilinn the Nationalists who took part in tho recent debate showed a vory clear perception o£ the fact that it ia pot
I 'merely advisable but vital to tho interests of Sottlh Africa to maintain and strengthen the Imperial tic. As was poiuted out by Mb. CRESS well, leader of the 'Labour I arty, South Africa- would not long enjoy freedom if it were left unaided to face a German African Jiinpire, and this unquestionably would have been its fate if General Hebtzog and those who share his views bad been given their way. South Africa's interests are nowheremore definitely identified with those of the Empire- than in tho matter of defence. This was emphasised not loiig ago by the Hon. Henry Bublon, Union Minister of Finance, when he said that a much more important question than that of trade relations, a. much more important and lasting , cementing of the bonds of the British Empire, was along tho lines of a. common defence. Ho addecMhat he looked forward to "a carefully considered and worked-out scheme, under which we shall bo ableto mobilise more rapidly, more effectively, -and more organically, as a whole." Tho appointment just conferred on General Shuts is a late, and striking evidence that these an- , ! ticipations are- in a fair way to be realised, and it may be expected to powerfully .influence opinion in South Africa as emphasising the extent to which the interests of the Union aro identified with those of the Empire.
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Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3117, 22 June 1917, Page 4
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1,045The Dominion. FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1917. SOUTH AFRICA AND THE EMPIRE Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3117, 22 June 1917, Page 4
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