SOUTH AFRICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1917, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA.

REPUBLICAN MOVEMENT. "DEVIL'S WOBK." | London, June 20.The' Standard's Capetown correspondent says Assembly was crowded when Mr. Merriman's motion against the establishment of a republic was di?pussed.' Mr. l Merriman described the efforts to djvifi* the two white-races as devils' work. Ttix. Cewjad moved an amendment regretting tfiat there should he an impression that the people's natural aspirations regarding independence were disloyal and unlawful. Mr. Cresswell (Labor) supported Mr. Merriman. The workers would be filled with alarm at the possibility of -West Africa reverting to Germany. They eottjd not contemplate with equanimity ■the of German power on their borders. The Nationalists talked about a republic. He asked how long would its freedom last it it was »tthe mercy of Germany with a black ' 'African Empire, The Laborites .would continue to support the Governments war policy. . General;6otha emphasised that Britain, aince granting the constitution, had never .on a single occasion interfered in South Africa. The great majority did not want civil war. Hei asked whether the minority was going to force it. Mr Herfeog contended there was nothing in the constitution to preclude him ' ftSUnstiPg pro-republican propaganda. , nTirka had not -j* received its freedom. He waa theoretically repub- ' afSTw did not advocate a republic > Be realised that there was no £ Se S»ta all sections asked Britain for - > .sffiapetown, June 20. ■an V*tfa*a'*<wi* i(m waß *® riga h 7