FINE EFFORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 November 1940, Page 5

FINE EFFORT

GREAT ARMY BUILT UP IN SOUTH AFRICA REMARKABLE INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS. PLANNING FOR POST-WAR PERIOD. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) PRETORIA, November 20. The Prime Minister, General Smuts, in a speech said South Africa now had the greatest army in her history. He said he was amazed at the success achieved in building up the country’s defence, despite political and other difficulties placed in the Government’s way. The Army was built up entirely by volunteers. Referring to industrial development, General Smuts said it had been stimulated by the war. He revealed that South Africa was supplying Britain with armoured cars constructed of South African steel. “While we are winning the war, we are also laying the foundation of industrial peace,” he said. "The Government has appointed a committee headed by Major van der Byl, Minister without Portfolio, with the object of planning for the post-war period.” General Smuts denounced the Ossewarbrandwag, the secret Afrikander Society, which he described as a sinister coterie trying to introduce Nazism. The South African Government would not hesitate to move against the society if it were necessary, despite Dr. Malan’s declaration. This would have serious results as it had been discovered that members of the society were secretly drilling at night.