SOUTH AFRICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1921, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA.

HERTZOG’S CRITICISMS. OF PREMIER’S SPEECH. By Tel-graph.—Press Assn —CopyrighU Capetown, May 23. in the Assembly, Mr. Hertzog, criticising General Smuts’ speech regarding the Imperial Conference, maintained that General Smuts had no right to go as Premier of South Africa, which meant that the Union would be virtually bound by his decisions. South Africa had no interest in the Japanese Treaty, and the Premier should not advise on the subject, otherwise the Union would share the re--1 sponsibility. Referring to the Constitutional Conference, he said South Africa had two alternatives, separation from the Empire, or giving up her rights. He was not prepared to state whether the Nationalists would accept an invitation to be represented, but in any case he would tell the Premier that he would never permit a single right of South Africa to be interfered with.

Mr. Hertzog concluded by protesting against an International defence policy. He stated that their defence system was daily being linked to the Eurov pean military chain, the object being that in future wars South Africa should go hand in hand with Britain.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.