"DEVIL'S WORK "IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3117, 22 June 1917, Page 5

"DEVIL'S WORK "IN SOUTH AFRICA

REPUBLICAN PROPAGANDA

CONDEMNED

DEBATE IN CAPE ASSEMBLY

HERTZOG AGAIN

London, June 20. The "Slandard's" correspondent at Cape Town state that the Assembly was crowded when Mr. J. X. Jlerriinan moved, "That efforts to carry on a republican propaganda will inevitably lend to fatal dissensions and the ultimate ruin of the European races in South Africa."

Mr. Merriinan described tho efforts to divide the two white races as "devil's work." j

Mr. Dewtad (?) moved an amendment regretting that there should bo an impression, that the natural aspirations of the people regarding independence were disloyal and unlawful.

Mr. Oresswell (Labour) supported Mr. Merriman. The workers, he said, would bo filled with nlann at the possibility of South-We.st Africa reverting to Germany. They could Jiot contemplate with equanimity the re-establishment of German power' on their borders. The Nationalists talked about a republic. Ho asked how long would its freedom last if it was at the mercy of the German black African Empire. The Labour Party would continue to support tho Government's war policy. General Botha emphasised that Britain since granting tho Constitution had never on a single occasion interfered with South Africa. Tho great majority did not want civil war. Ho asked whether a minority was going to force it. GeDeral Hertzog contended that there was nothing in the Constitution to preclude him conducting a pro-Republican propaganda. South Africa had not yet received its freedom. Ho, theoretically, was a Republican, but ho did not advocate a .Republic to-day. Tic Tealised that there was no hope until all sections of the people asked Britain for in-dependence.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.