BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

GOVERNOR OF FIJI

(.Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) SUVA, May 24

Governor Rodwell sailed by the Niagara for Auckland. He had an enthusiastic: send off.

AFRICAN POLITICS. (Received this day at 1.30 P.m.) CAPETOWN, May 23.

In the Assembly Mr Hertzog criticising Mr Smuts speech regarding the Imperial Conference maintained Mr Smuts had no right to go as Premier of South Africa, which meant that the Union would be virtually bound by the decisions South Africa had no interest in the Japanese Treaty. The Premier should not advise on the subject, otherwise the Union would share the responsibility. Referring to the constitutional conference he said South Africa had two alternatives, separation from the Empire or giving' up her rights. He was not prepared to state whether the Nationalist would accept the invitation to be represented, but in any case he would tell the Premier he would never permit a single right of South Africa to be interfered with. Mr TTertzog concluded by protesting against the Imperial defence policy. He stated thendefence system was daily being linked to the European military chain, the object being that, in future wars, South Africa should go hand in hand with Britain.