SOUTH AFRICAN REVOLUTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1922, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN REVOLUTION.

EFFECT IN AUSTRALIA. STATEMENT BY GENERAL SMUTS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received June 17, 5.5 p.m. Capetown, June 17. Replying in the Assembly to a question by Mr- Waterston (Labour) why he sent a cable to Mr. Holman during the New South Wales election, General Smuts said that Mr. Holman, who was a friend of his, telegraphed that the revolution was one of the main issue® of the elections, and asking what the situation was. General Smuts sent a cable almost as colourless a statement of the situation as could possibly be imagined. A Nationalist Member: “It had a very disastrous effect.” General Smuts:“l do not think the disastrous effect was due to my wire, but to the revolution and the collapse of the revolution. That must have had a tremendous effect on Australia and every other country. People all over the world were closely watching these grave happenings when they saw that striking was working up to revolution with heavy bloodshed like a mine war, and noted how the Government dealt with the situation in the end. No doubt it made a great impression, and that was what must have impressed the electors of New South Wales, not my colourless cable.” Mr. Sampson (Labour): ‘‘That is not the opinion there.” General Smuts: “I certainly never thought to bring about the grave disaster that befel the Labour Party.” (Laughter.)—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.