Speech by Gen. Smuts to Rowdy Important Combination to Im-
Meeting at Johannesburg prove Conditions Johannesburg, Aug, 18, London, Aug, 12.
Addressing a crowded meeting in the Town Hall last night, the first ecension on which he had delivered 1 speech to a public political gatha ing since the strike of 1922, General Smuts was frequently interrupted by] A small rowdy section, which continually shouted and hooted and waved red flags.
There were many free fights, and a number of the most prominent rowdies were ejected.
General Smuts, referring to the ting and secession questions, said! j-——tnnv-owing. to the wih which the lustes pal body knew where they stood on the: matter, Ax regards the great question in which the country was in terested the Prime Minister "Ww The couviy Was most anxious to henr, Seneral Hertzog's views on the} Jtperial Conference and what policy "he would advocate there. They! wanted to know whether General]
Hertzog would demand a declaration} of South Africa's independence, which the Premier had favoured in the course of a speech at Stellen bosch, 'The Federation of Master Cotton-spinners' Association have issued details of the minimum basis of selling prices for standard counts of American yarn to operate from August 16, The scheme ix supported by 93 per cent, of the w vmbers Jeoncerned and by owners of 2,500,- 000 spindles not affiliated to the Federation.
An explanatory letter states that no intention at the outset full production costs and]
ied that the best method tually to. improve prevailing!
The object of the scheme ise, byt also to stabilize rms concerned. hold fosh to the prices, the end should] shortly be reached of long existing deplorable conditions.
The scheme is organized in con-Junction with curtailment of pro-Guetion, which this section of the lo requires, and the position will be carefully reviewed at least once! a week.
The Committee of the Federation is promoting formation of "American Yarn Association" the object of supporting prices.
General Smuts said that such declaration would mean the break-up of the Empire, They wanted to know General Hertzog's policy, for the policy he had pursued up to the: present had not been in the interests of South Africa.
The interruptions became s0 ous that a Labour leader appease for order, but in vain. The uproar, wae so tremendous that the Chairman advised General Smuts to speak Jater when a hearing would be assured. vote of thanks was carried amid deafening cheers, There were more ree fights while the Hall was emptying.—Reuter.
The New Combine Arg. 16.
Federation of 3 ter Cotton rs' ani Manufacturers' Asso-dations have inaugurated the scheme for protection of the section of the cotton trade spinning American cotton from under-cost. selling. josie prices", which, in effect, are minimum prices, have been fixed for standard quality American cops! and beams and salesmen on the Manchester Cotton Exchange representing firms producing these
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.