A SOUTH AFRICAN VISITOR

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1932, Page 7

A SOUTH AFRICAN VISITOR

‘SIR JOSEPH ROBINSON ON TOUR. 'WELLINGTON, February 22. “Unless quite unforeseen complications arise, South Africa will remain on the gold standard, at least during the tenure of office of the present Government,” according to Sir Joseph Robinson, of Cape Town, who arrived in New ‘Zealand by the Monowai to-day from Sydney. Sir Joseph was elected a member of Parliament in 1915 for the Transvaal constituency, but he did not seek re-election. He was at the time the youngest member of the House.

'South .Africa was really a very happy country, he said. Whatever happened, it would always have a Conservative Government. There was almost no Bolsheviks, perhaps two or three ; but no one took any notice of them. General J. G. 'Hertzog, the present Prime Minister, was a Conservative, at'-d it iGenerai Jan 0. Smuts got in at the next election in two years' time the Government would still be- Conservative. South Africa was on the gold standard, moreover, and intended to remain on it, said Sir Joseph. So long as the present Government remained in power, 'it was.- (almost certain that the gold standard would remain with then), If Oehei'al Smuts got into power they might abandon it, hut it wa? n«t a very probable eventuality, The 'Government had gone very carefully into the whole matter, and they were not fools. So long as it appeared to them that it was good for the country to be on the gold standard, they would remain on it.

IvEEX RACEHORSE owner. Sir Joseph is a keen racehorse owner, and has left behind him in South Africa a 'number of youngsters which he bought in Ireland, By the time he returns he hopes they will be ready to equal their parents’ performances. “But sons don’t always take after their fathers,” 'Sir Joseph remarked with a smile. In New Zealand he intends to call on R. J. Mason, the wellknown Canterbury trainer, and will possibly take home with him, if it can bo arranged, some young New Zealand horses. Transport, however, is a difficulty. He could take them to Sydney easily enough, and let them have a speo there, hut he does not want the horse to go 'tripping all over the Indian Ocean before reaching South Africa. He is very keen to arrange tor some Ne" Zealand oats to be shipped to South Africa. They are much finer than the oats ,available for his horses at home; but here again he anticipates difficulty. He has promised his trainer, however, to see what he could get. MONEY FROM DIAMONDS. iSir Joseph's father was the first white man in the diamond country, ant had a .profitable time there. He used to buy diamonds front the natives wu! goats and other livestock. At that time the mines ‘were only alluvial diggings. and the natives thought the white ‘Stranger was a most gullible creature. Sir Joseph's father maintained a farm south of (lie diggings and raised cattle ami goats for the purpose of this barter; He sold out his diamond interests some years ago. Sir Joseph’s present trip i s almost altogether a pleasure one. "I have come to New Zealand to see the country," he said. "1 have wanted to cmne here for a good many years, and 1 have reached here at last." He I vvjjll remain in ’New Zealand for a fortnight, perhaps longer, and will return home via Sydney. Colombo, and Burban.