SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1922, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS.

NATIONALIST - LABOR PACT. By Telegraph.— Press Assn.—Copyright. Capetown, Nov, 2. Confirmation is lent to the statement to the effect that the Nationalists and Labor Party have agreed to drop certain planks in their platforms in order to cooperate against the Government by the announcement that a message was received at the Bloemfontein Labor meeting from Mr. Cresswell, suggesting that the party should drop the' socialistic clause in the constitution, pointing out that there was no euch clause in the British Labor constitution. The proposal was unanimously adopted. Meantime the Nationalist leaders, including Mr. Hertzog, are stating that Republicanism was never the avowed policy of the party. This is intended to placate loyal Laborites. Mr. Cresswell’s proposal to scrap the Socialistic objective clause in the Labor Party’s constitution, which by the way is the primary objective embodied therein, has caused widespread interest and comment in Johannesburg. The clause lays down the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange, to be controlled ’by a democratic State in the interests of the’whole country. In a statement to the Star, Mr. Cresswell says that, owing to wild misinterpretation in many quarters, the clause acts as a stumbling block, and has alienated the support of many who are in entire agreement with the party’s attitude and practical policy.

The second clause in the constitution advocating securing for producers, whether by hand or brain, the full fruits of their industry and most equitable distribution on the basis of the common ownership of means of life and the best system of popular administration in each industry, makes the party’s attitude sufficiently clear, and is the same objective as put forward by the British Labor Party. Notwithstanding this explanation, the general opinion is that the announcement is made in fulfilment of a bargain with the Nationalists.

Mr. Hertzog says Mr. Cresswell’s action is wise for Labor and for South Africa. He is convinced that Marxian Socialism will never find favor in South Africa.