UNITY OF AFRICA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20086, 4 November 1939, Page 5

UNITY OF AFRICA

LEADER’S APPEAL

NAZI POLICY OPPOSED SUPPORT TO SMUTS HERTZOG DISGRUNTLED GROUP LEAVES CONGRESS (Elec. Tel. Copyright-—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 12 noon RUGBY, Nov. 4. General ,T. C. Smuts, the Prime Minister of South Africa, in a message to the South African newspaper Democrat, writes: “As the weeks pass ). am becoming more convinced than ever that we acted rightly. The declared policy of Nazi Germany is not only to dominate the Continent of Europe but also to recover fhe former German possessions in Africa, expand them, and so become the most powerful State on earth. "We should be foolish to stand back with folded hands awaiting the hour when Germany attacks South-West Africa. Then it would be too late. I am certain that if we ail do our duty as men and brothers then the future is propitious for racial peace and much better unity Ilian we have ever itnown before.

Pride in Nation “With undiminished belief and pride j in our African nation, I ask for your l faithful support in these anxious times." A Bloemfontein message states that fhe political situation was somewhat clarified as a result of the head com- j mittee of the United Party approving, j by 28 votes to 18 the policy of the Government and disapproving of the. conduct of members who refused to accept the decision of Parliament j

The dissentients, who were led by the former Prime Minister, General J. B. Hcrtzog, left the congress. Subsequently General Smuts was given an ovation.

The meeting at Bloemfontein declared that the Union of South Africa would keep the promise to defend British territories in Africa