SOUTH AFRICA’S PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1917, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICA’S PROBLEM

DISCUSSED IN THE ASSEMBLY.

(Received This Dav at 12.25. p.m.i LONDON, June 20.

The “Standard’s Capetown correspondent says the Assembly, was crowded when Mr Merriman described the efforts to divide the two white races as devil’s work. Mr Dewarr moved an amendment regretting there should be an impression that the peoples’ natural aspirations regarding independence was disloyal and unlawful. Mr Cresswell supported Mr Merriman, and said! th o workers would be filled with alarm at the possibility of South-West Africa reverting to Germany. He could! not contemplate with equamity, the re-establishment of German power on their borders. National ists talked about a. republic. He mknot long would its freedom last if it were at the mercy of a German black African empire. The labourites would continue to support the Government’s war policy. General Botha emphasised that Britain, since the .granting of. tli e constitution, had never 'onasjngle occasion, int-rferied with South Africa. The great majority did not want civil war. He asked: “Wer e the minority going to force it? ” Mr Hortzog contended there was nithing jn the constitution to preclude him from conducting a Pro-Republican propaganda. South Africa had not yet received its freedom. He was theoretically a Republican, bult did not advocate a republic to-day. He realised there was no hope until all sections asked (Britain for their independence.