THE SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1920, Page 4

THE SOUTH AFRICAN UNION.

The result of the recent elections in South Africa has come as an unpleasant. surprise, inasmuch as an analysis of the polling shows that about thirtyfour per cent voted Nationalist. The leader of this party is General Hortzog, who has never lost an opportunity, since the Union was constituted, of championing the claims of the Dutch irreconcilables for secession from the Britis'i Empire. At the elections in 1915, tha South African Party, led by General Botha, obtained 54 seats as against 97 secured by the Nationalists, but at the recent elections the South African Party only secured 40 seats (a loss of 14), while the Nationalists increased their strength iby sixteen, thus obtaining a majority of three over the South African Party. The third main party, the Unionists, lost 15 seats, reducing their number from 40 to 25, while Labor gained seventeen seats, whereby they increased the strength of the party from 4to 21. Hitherto the Unionists have .given a general support to the Government, but whether that was due to the influence of tho late General Botha or not remains to be seen. . At all events General Smuts, who became Premier on the death of General Botha, is faced with a situation that certainly has serious possibilities, not only for South Africa, but for the Empire. ' Assuming that the Unionists support the Government, the two parties can only muster sixtyfive votes, whereas the Nationalists and Laborites command sixty-four votes and the Independents three. It does not follow that Labor members will support the irreconcilable Dutch element, but if it suits their purpose they may do so, and as the avowed object of the Nationalists is to break away from the Empire, they may offer special inducements to the Labor and Independent members to vote against the Govern ; ment, and declare for exercising the right of self-determination. The position would then become one of great gravity in view of the League of Nations covenant. It is of little use speculating what would happen in the event of such a contingency arising. Wc infinitely prefer to assume that Labor would not be so unwise as to place their interests at the mercy of Dutch irreconcilables whose fanaticism is a fetish General Smuts has striven hard to win over the less extreme members of the Nationalists, and put an end to the racial divisions by co-operation of all parties on a common basis. The verdict at the polls has been the answer to his well meant efforts. At present Hertzog has the largest party in the Assembly. Why there has been a reactionary movement is not clear, especially as it was thought that as time went on the old anti-Unionists would gradually die out. No single party can carry on the Government of the Union, but according to latest information, General Smuts has decided to remain in office and await developments. ' Possibly lie has faith in the good sense of the members, outside the Nationalist Parly, to support 'the Union and ensure prosperity. It would be a black day for South Africa if Hertzog ruled its destiny, and we prefer to be optimistic enough to 'hope that such a calamity will never occur, It would seem that in view of the' serious nature of the position the Unionists should deem it their duty to join hands with the South African Party, and, by giving Labor a square deal, set at rest all concern over the future of the Union i