SOUTH AFRICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1919, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA.

REPUBLICAN PROPAGANDA. ~;■ STIRRING SPEECH BY SIR T. SMART. Capetown, Feb. 11. A debate on the Republican propaganda was initiated in the Assembly on the motion by Sir Thomas Smart, Leader of the Opposition: "That this Hou3e emphatically condemns the agitation nowcarried on for the dissolution of the Union and the severance of the connection at present existing betwian South Africa and Great Britain, and further expresses the opinion that such agitation, if persisted in, will lead to civil W&r and bloodshed in South Africa." Sir Thomas Smart recalled Hertzog's previous eulogies. The Act of Union declared that the English section accepted the Union in good faith, and honorably fulfilled its obligations, so also did a large proportion of the Dutch, but the Nationalist leaders were seeking to destroy the constitution. He ridiculed the position of the men about to embark on a British ship, under the protection of the British fleet, on a wild* goose chase to President Wilson and the League of Nations. He stigmatised the campaign PS one of treachery and calumny which must be ended. It could never succeed by peaceful means. Every Englishman and loyal Dutchman would fight to the last in defence of the Union. Mr. Malam said the Union shall be Maintained. It was false to say it could be changed constitutionally. Such a change could only be revolutionary. The Union must be upheld at any eost. He moved an amendment welcoming all constitutional developments tending to make the Union in the fullest sense a selfgoverning Dominion, but strongly condemning the present agitation.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.