SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1921, Page 1

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. BY TFLEGIUril —I’ll ESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. CAPETOWN, Alareli 12. At the opening of Parliament,p Mr Krige was re-elected Speaker. Senator Van llerdern was elected President- of the Senate, thus displacing ex-Presi-dent Reitz, who had occupied office since the Union. General Smuts was waited on by a deputation of women who presented a petition hearing 55.000 signatures seeking women suffrage. In reply, he said he would endeavour during the coming session to give an opportunity to deal with this question. Ihe Government would not make the question a party issue. “ A T ou are supporting a great, cause,” he said, “which must and should, win in this or a subsequent session. ”

The Duke of Connaught’s speech at the opening of Parliament contained no surprises. It stated the towns oi thcmandates for German Smith-'West Africa will he submitted for members’ information, and it also referred to the stagnation in trade and industry in South African, resulting in unemployment and social unrest, as elsewhere throughout the world. This was now suddenly affecting South Africa. Hence it was proposed to concentrate attention, as far as possible, on measures necessary to cope with this situation. Construction of new railways is recommended to create additional opportunities for employment, and also measures to safeguard certain industries against unfair competition from overseas, owing to the existing abnormal conditions.