CAPE POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1933, Page 5

CAPE POLITICS

COALITION MOTION

UNPARALLELED INTEREST.

(United Press Association —By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright.)

CAPETOWN, January 24

There was unparalleled interest when General .Smuts moved, i-'i ti>e calling up th e Government to res.g i in order to make way for the formation of a National Government. Th e debate, was adjourned until tomorrow, when the Governments expects a ■majority of eleven on a division. In moving hig motion, General Smuts spoke brilliantly, without recrimination. He based his claim on there being a national desire for racial peace and on the fact that Premier Hertzog was now carrying out a .non-gold policy, despite his express pledges that he would not remain in office if the Union quitted thy gold standard. General Smuts declared lfis willingness to place the initiative for the formation of a National Government in General Hertzog'e hands. He said the financial and economic conditions of the Union were s o serious that they required a great national effort to retrieve them. General Hertzog, in replying, Said that the present Government was fully capable of dealing with all of tins emergencies. Hig pledges to resign haa referred only to a voluntary abandonment of gold. His Government must not defend the country against the disastrous consequences of the non-g-ut policy which General Smuts and his | ■co-adjusters had forced on the country. Genera] Hertzog moved an amendment to the motion, declaring that the House had the fullest confidence in the present Government. The debate is now likely to take a definite party turn when the House .resumes to-morrow.