SOUTH AFRICA

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20499, 16 May 1938, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICA

THE GENERAL ELEOTION BIG POLL NEXT WEDNESDAY MOVE FOR A REPUBLIC United pres* Assn. —Eiec. Tel. Copyright JOHANNESBURG, May 14 Nearly 1.000.00 u voters are expected to go to poll in the keenly fought general .election next Wednesday. Four members have been returned unopposed, all of the United Party (Government), leaving 354 candidates for t lie remaining 146 seats in the House of Assembly, all of which the United Party is contesting. The leader of the Party, General Hertzog, Prime Minister, in a joint manifesto with General Smuts, deputyPrime Minister, declares its intention of maintaining friendships with fellow members of the Empire. The principal Opposition Party, the Republican group, self-styled " purified Nationalists ” having 104 candidates led by Dr. Malan, aims at the establishment of an independent Republic. It has a certain sentimental sway, but the campaign has rekindled some of the old racial bitterness. Other opposition croups are the Dominion Party, with 33 candidates, which appeals exclusively to the British element. Labour, with 36 candidates and Independent with 35 candidates.

It is expected that the Government will lose some seats, but it is assured of a substantial majority.

The state of parties at the dissolution was: Government, 117; Republicans. 20; Dominion Party, 5; Labour, 4; Independents, 4. OLDEST PRIME MINISTER IN OFFICE FOR 14 YEARS SERVED ELECTORATE 31 YEARS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) CAPETOWN, May 15 General Hertzog, the Prime Minister. celebrated his 72nd birthday recently and is the oldest Prime Minister in the British Commonwealth of Nations, and has been in office for a longer unbroken period than any of his contemporaries—l 4 years. General Hertzog ‘has represented Smithfleld continuously for 31 vears.