BITTER FIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1938, Page 8

BITTER FIGHT

ELECTION PROSPECTS IN SOUTH AFRICA. By Telegraph.—Press Association, AUCKLAND, This Day. “It will be a very bitter fight but General Hertzog and General Smuts will win.” ' This was the prediction of Mr Eugene C. Van Wyk, former private secretary to General Hertzog, Prime Minister of South Africa, on his arrived on the luxury liner Reliance, referring to next month’s general election in South Africa. In the last 13 years Mr Van Wyk has travelled 900,000 miles as a lecturer on 'cruises in all parts of the world. Mr Van Wyk referred to the aim of the Republic Party led by Dr. Malan to rally young politicians, mostly Dutch Nationalists and to cut the painter with the British Empire and establish a republic of South Africans. He said they would not have the support of the public. Although General Hertzog was the founder of the separationist party he was today one of the best friends of Great Britain. The Eoers would never forget that he secured for them equality of their language and brought about real co-operation in the Union. Referring to Geneal Smuts, Mr Van Wyk said: “He is the greatest statesman the British Empire has ever had. The combination with General Hertzog is ideal.”