AFRICAN UNITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1922, Page 2

AFRICAN UNITY.

RHODESIAN OVERTURES.

TO JOIN SOUTH ‘AFRICAN

UNION*

USTUALIAN AND N.Z; CABLE ASSOCIATION. CAPETOWN, April 4. A Rhodesian delegation consisting of five members of the pro-Union party five responsible for the Government party, with Sir Drummond Chaplin, Administrator, as chairman, met Mr Smuts this morning to discuss terms on which Rhodesia can enter th© Union, which in accordance with Hon. W. Churchill’s stipulation must bfi included in" a referendum on a new constitution. Mr Smuts in welcoming the delegation, said it was advisable to follow the procedure of the National Convention at the time of the Union, with a round table conference, ho set speeches and the frankest and fre e St interchange of views, and no formal resolution. After much discussion it would be necessary fo r the Union Government to formulate th© terms and conditions' which it was willing to propose to Rhodesia and which probably would require consideration by the Chartered Company. These terms would be embodied in a public document which could be laid before the people of Rhodesia, to whom the decision would be left entirely, without any attempt to influence them by the .Union. Replying to a question by Mr HertzCg in the Assembly, whether th© pei. pie of the Union would be consulted - on the terms of the incorporation of Rhodesia, Mr Smuts said if the quest ion meant a referendum or general election, such was not th© intention of the Government. The present ediiference was the result of a request by Rhodesia, hut should it. result in the acceptance of the terms, Government proposed to follow the course laid down in the Act of Union providing for the incorporation, as the result of an address to the King, adopted by both Houses,