SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1924, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

SMITH RDPId KS TO CUKSWKI.L. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z CARLE ASSOCIATION. (Received this dnv at 11.15 a.m.) CAPETOWN, Jan. lid In the Assembly, the Labour Leader, Air .Creswoll, moved : —"1 hat, in the opinion ol the Assembly, the promises made by a Government at the Imperial Conference imposes no obligations on the country or dominion concerned mild ml died by its parliament and tlml the Assembly dissents from the contrary view put forward by the Prime ALinsiter in a public speech at Johannesburg on the Iftli December.” ' Mr ('reswell declared a passage in that speech challenged, wlnil he always considered, an unquestionable position, lie asked General Smuts to admit his error. General Smuts, in replying, com-

plained of the attempt to liianulaetiire party capital, lie fpioting a passage in the Imperial Conference's report to the effect that its conclusions were

subject to the action of the Governments and Parliaments of ilie various parts of the Empire. General Smuts stated this was inserted at his instance anil made the constitutional position perfectly plain. In his Johannesburg speech he took the constitutional position for granted and merely stated his views regarding the great disaster in the event of the Conference’s work Tiling lost. Ills whole argument was to make the British Parliament realize the gravity of the situation from the viewpoint of statesmanship and expediency, his speech being addressed to the people of Great Britain. Air Tlruee took even a more serious view of the situation than himself. General Smuts expressed pleasure that Mr Macdonald had decided to refer the resolutions to the British Parliament and declared that lie still lelt strongly that the preference resolutions should be carried.

General Smuts suggested that Mr Creswoll withdraw bis motion on tbc first portion of which all were agreed, while the second was founded oil a misunderstanding. A division would give the British people an impression that South African opinion was divided on a (|iicstion ol preference, thereby rendering great, disservice to South Africa.

General Hertzog condemned General Smuts’ use of the word ‘‘must” in bis Johannesburg speech. Do contended General Smuts had evaded the point and taken up the attitude ol weakening South Africa’s eoustituliumil position. suggesting that, the Premiers would one day regard themselves as responsible to the Imperial t onlcroiice instead of their own Parliaments.

Air Creswell declined to withdraw the motion, which was negatived by sixtVono to fifty-four.