Native Africans Propose Training For Union Army

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 43, 6 March 1937, Page 18

Native Africans Propose Training For Union Army

DUEBAN.

Native recommendations for training and arming native soldiers in Soulh Africa for defence against a foreign aggressor and for the enforcement of military , training in native schools caused surprise at the Ciskeian General Oouncil here. It is pointed out, however, that even fin face of t'he potential menace of native armies in Ethiopia and Erench and Spanish Morocco,'the Union Government would think a long time before militarising its own natives. Nevertheless, it has been emphasised that in the event of foreign aggression the presence in South Africa of welldisciplined and thoroughly trained native regiments, efficiently officered by pjcked white men, would be a force for the consolidation . and homogeneity of the South African peoples. Sueh regiments, giving " voluntary serviee to the state, would be a sign to the world of the native 's willing association with the Government. They would be a sign that the 'natives kad accepted the responsibilities of citizenship and that the Government had recognised their rght thereto. Another argument in favour of .native tro.ops is that in the course of .years the elfect of their discipline and training as they filtered back to the ordinary life of kraal or paid labour would be beneficial.