SPORT FOR SMUTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1940, Page 6

SPORT FOR SMUTS

NO TIME FOR POLITICS AT PRESENT. BOER VETERAN'S VIEW. A quotation from a speech made by General S. F. Alberts at a recruiting meeting held in the Hekpoort School, South Africa, was repeated by speakers at a recruiting meeting in the Krugersdorp Town Hall. The quotation was: "The time has come for us to put aside all our political differences and place all our resources behind the leader of our country. I vigorously opposed in Parliament the motion of General Smuts to enter the war, but having regard to the critical position that now exists, I am prepared to lay aside my political opinions. If those who come back after the war wish to renew political strife they may do so, but at the moment the position has to be faced honestly and politics must be set aside.”

Colonel D. van Deventer, who spoke at Krugersdorp, said that at the end of the meeting at Hekpoort Lieutenant S. F. Alberts, son of General Alberts, at once enlisted and was the first to take the now oath.

Other speakers were Colonel P. Geere and Captain M. J. van den Berg. M.P.

The Mayor of Krugersdorp, Mr E. Kitsham, who presided, said that it was not possible to give up without, a struggle the freedom that South Africa had so long enjoyed—the right to speak one's thoughts freely and without fear. If these things were held sacred and right, then it was South Africas’ duty to stand with the Empire.