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The Dominion. MONDAY, DECEMBER 13. 1920. DISCORDANT ELEMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The manifesto General Heetzocj has addressed to the South African electors in reference to the general election set down for February next is of the "slim" variety. The Nationalist Party, which General Hektzoq leads, stands first and foremost for racial prejudice and a determination to break away from the British Empire. In this it is opposed by all other parties, including the important section of tho Boer population', which supports General Shuts, and the Labour Party, led by Mn. Cbesswell. On the present occasion, however, as his manifesto demonstrates. General Hertzog is basing his hopes mainly upon the discontent awakened by the high cost of living and related troubles which South Africa shares with tho rest of the world. Ho invites the electors to believe that all such troubles are duo to the "imperialistic" policy of the Government, and, in tho hope presumably of popularising this remarkable diagnosis, he offers topostpono the question of establishing a republic iu South Africa. The Nationalists, ho contends, have a right to say that they do not wish ito bring this matter to a votfly at tho next election. Although their guile is somewhat obvious, these tactics may to, some extent accentuate the difficulties by which General Smuts is faced in his efforts to form a strong and stable political combination pledged initially to maintain the Imperial tie. While his opponents arc_ trading on discontent and racial animosity, the problem of the Union /Prime Minister is to establish working harmony between political groups which agree in opposing the demand for independence, but in some other respects arc at variance. At the election held nine months ago paT-. tics, wore returned in the following strengths:— South African Party 42 Nationalists , 44 Unionists 25 Labour 21 Independents 2

General Smuts vainly attempted to induce _ the Nationalists to abandon their republican plank and link up with his own party—the South African. His overtures wero better _ received, however, by the Unionists, and last month it wat) announced that this party and tho South African had agreed to unite. Even now General Smuts is definitely supported by only one-half of tho total membership in the Union House of Representatives, and it is this state of affairs and the apparent impossibility ' meantime of taking any further step in building an effective combination, that has necessitated another anneal, to the people. Ono of the .most unsatisfactory features of the :existing situation is the division m the ranks of the British South Africans. Tho Unionists and tho Labour Party in the main represent British electors, and at the last election the Labour Party captured fifteen seats previously hold by the Unionists, increasing its strength from six to twenty-one. This result was described'as "'a revolt of the townspeople against the high cost of living": tho opinion was expressed also that the Unionist Party had suffered from its associa™on with the big financial interests of Kimberley and Johannesburg. Obviously a great deal now depends ui)on the light in which the combination lately effected between the Unionists and the South African Party is regarded by people of moderate views amongst the British population.

AVith so many political erosscurrentp at work, the outcome of the approaching election is somewhat uncertain. It counts for a good deal, however, that although General Smuts and those associated with him in the effort to ?s>Hhlish a strong Government need a considerable accession of strength to make their position assured, the two. parties in opposition aro at least as sharply divided from one another as they are from the Govevninßnr, Apart from the faot that the Labour Party is pledged to uphold the present Constitution, its .State socialistic aims in no way commend themselves to the rigidly conservative Boers who constitute the backbone • of the Nationalist Party. When the result of tho last election was announced, leading Nationalists were quoted by a London ZVm.es correspondent in South Africa as stating that thev would never consent to a NationalistLabour coalition for government purposes, though they were willing to coalesce with Labour for a vigorous offensive in Opposition. Apparently General.Hertzoo is now trying to pave the way to an understanding with Labour, but possibilities in this direction are definitely limited. At tho same time it ought to count heavily with British South Africans, who constitute about twofifths of the population of the Union, that in supporting the Labour Party instead of the Government they would plav directly into the hands of the Nationalists. General Hertzog and his supporters have made it abundantly elear that they stand for a racial nnlif" of the most extreme type, and will bo satisfied with nothing less . than complete racial domination of the Union and the ohlitcraton of British sentiment and tradition. Thri manifesto now issued bv the Nationalist lcadcris palpably an appeal to prejudice and an attempt to inflame petulant discontent. Though it professes to set aside the issue of separation for the time be-

ing, it will not be forgotten that the Nationalists only a few months ago, when they wero invited to unite with the South African Party, flatly refused to abandon the idea of secession. One great factor to be reckoned with in estimating the political outlook in South Africa Is the enlightened' and powerful influence exercised by General Shots. As an English correspondent .observed not long ago, it is tho best hope for South Africa that Gknrr'al Smuts may reconcile all the discordant elements within it to acquiesce in h'is idea! of willing membership of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19201213.2.10

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 67, 13 December 1920, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
928

The Dominion. MONDAY, DECEMBER 13. 1920. DISCORDANT ELEMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 67, 13 December 1920, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, DECEMBER 13. 1920. DISCORDANT ELEMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 67, 13 December 1920, Page 4

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