SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1924, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS

CAI’E ELECTIONS. lUBTKAUAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. CAPETOWN, April 7 General Smuts said that without the full confidence of the country the Government was not prepared to carry on, and therefore it was proposed, after passing the necessary Appropriation Acts, to advise the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament. If possible, the necessary legislation would he passed by Thursday through both houses. Mr Cresswcll ashcil if the election would take place before or alter the visit of the Prince of Wales, as itwould lie distinctly inconvenient to have the eoiinfry in a turmoil whilstentertaining the Prince. The Premier did not reply.

On n motion for the adjournment General Merlzog said he was sure the general public would welcome the cause of tin' adjournment and the opportunity of expressing their views. Air Gresswell speaking amid the uproar of cheers and counter cheers, declared that from the day on which the Parliament was elected oil entirely false issues the Labourites had looked for this dissolution. The last election was intended solely for the reduction of Labour’s representation and they now accepted the Government's challenge being confident that the people would reject the present Government-.

After others had spoken the House adjourned.

COALITION' MINISTRY LIKELY. CAPETOWN, April 7 Tlie scene in the Union Assembly was dramatic, and it was evident .something unusual was in the air. ! There was a larger gathering in the public galleries than usual, anxious to set* what' the repercussion of the Wak-j kevstrooin result would be. There was j great cheering when General 1 lertzog i and other leaders entered the House.j The announcement of the result of the election culminated in such an . uproar that Mr Creswell had to speak j at the top of his voice. When toliow-, ing General Smuts, -Mr Bobs, Leader of the Nationalist Party in the Transvaal, commenting on the dissolution, j said that in the event oi the success I of his Party'at the elections, he sin-, cerely trusted the Labour Party | would consent to enter a Coalition 1 Ministry, as the presence of Labour Ministers in the Cabinet would satisfy the eountrv. Bacialism was dead, he said. ■ . i The general elections will be held in June, and consequently the Government lias requested the Prince of Wales to defer bis visit to South Africa. All arrangements for tlie visit are accordingly suspended. LONDON, April 7.

The “Daily Herald:” referring to ; General Smuts’s resignation, says:— The only Allied wartime prime minister remaining is tlie extremely reactionary. but the rather unimportant Premier of New Zealand, Mr Massey.