ALL RESOURCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20073, 20 October 1939, Page 11

ALL RESOURCES

CALL BY SMUTS DEFENCES OF AFRICA UNIT IN EMPIRE PLAN AMERICA’S NEUTRALITY VITAL PHASE URGED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct., 19, 1.15 p.m.) PRETORIA, Oct. 18. A nation-wide survey of South Africa’s industrial and mineral resources with a view to meeting home and Allied needs was announced today by the Prime Minister, General J. C. Smuts, in his first speech since he assumed office.

Addressing a special convention of the Federated Chamber of Industries, General Smuts said that things were working out much better than had been thought possible before the war broke out. The Union’s difficulties would have been increased an hundredfold had Parliament not adopted the ’’dual choice of interest and duty.” It was easy to realise what the Union's position would have been without the protection of the British Navy. South Africa had to make up for lost time and neglected duty and organise her manpower to meet emergencies. Possible Danger General Smuts described the cash-and-carry clause in the United States Congress amendment to the Neutrality Act as a danger because the assistance of the United States might be most important for the supply of the machinery necessary to the Union’s industrial development. “If American ships cannot carry American goods to South Africa, let alone to New Zealand. Australia and Canada, the Americans will suffer as well as the Dominions” he declared. He said he had made representations to tho United States Government cxpress.ng the hope that the Neutrality Bill would be so framed as to remove the danger. General Smuts appealed to employers not to discharge their men. The Government would form armies making great demands on manpower for which reason employers should, in the meantime, retain their staffs.

“This war will shake the world’s foundations,” he said. can see how warily the democratic Powers are acting in attacks against Germany. You can sense the feeling of fate behind it all. You can realise that the Powers are afraid, in a way, to come to grips, because they know that no one can foresee the result.”