IN TIME OF WAR

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 253, 10 June 1937, Page 3

IN TIME OF WAR

SOUTH AFRICAN UNION Enemy Will Get “Blazes” Cape Town, June 1. “Whatever juristic theories either South African artillerymen or any foreign aggressor might entertain about the constitutional position of Simonstown, the enemy will know what’s happening; he- will be receiving particular blazes.’’ In these words Mr. Oswald Pirow, South African Minister of Railways and Harbours and Defence, restated the Union’s intention to honour in the letter and the spirit the agreement made in 1922, whereby South Africa, undertook responsibilty for the land defences of Simonstown, which is the headquarters of the Africa Station of the British Navy. Mr. Pirow revealed that the scheme of defence which the South African Governmerit is putting into operation was drawn up by the Committee of Imperial Defence; and said that oefore very long the South African' Air > Force would be carrying out co-op-erating exercises with the navy. Mr. Pirow’s statement was intended tq he a reply to the Dominion party, which is continually expressing the fear that South Africa will let Britain down in case of war; and to the Nationalists, who are expressing the fear that Britain will drag South Africa, willy-nilly, into the next war. ' The real position has been rather obscured by some Government supporters, who. in careless moments, have suggested that Simonstown has a similar relation to South Africa as Gibraltar has to Spain. On the general question of South African participation in a war oversea, the Government has always made it clear that the decision will rest with the Union Parliament.