SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18890, 4 January 1927, Page 9

SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG.

SETTLING DIFFICULTIES.

HARMONY PREVAILS

(BY CABLE—PBEBS ASSOCIATIOS—COPTRIGHT.) (AUSTBALIAK AXD K.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATION.)

(Received January 4th, 1.40 a.m.)

CAPE TOWN, January 3,

At the .opening of the Labour Party's annual congress at Bloemfontein, Colonel Cresswell, Minister for Defence, said that the Premier had authorised him to state that the Flag Bill would be proceeded with, but in addition to the suggestion for the inclusion of the Imperial Crown, the Government consider the adoption of the Boyal standard, which would eliminate the idea that it was intended to ignore the connexion with the Empire. This, however, would necessitate the cessation of Party strife and the consent of the Opposition, as they could not petition the King to use the domestic symbol of the Royal House except as a uuited people. The Hon. Mr Boydell, Minister for Labour, referring to the suggested reorientation of the Parties, said the Labour Party in any case would maintain a separate identity and could never eo-operate in a combined South African Nationalist Party. An animated debate followed on a resolution congratulating General Hertzog, Prime Minister, on the success of his labours at the Imperial Conference, expressing the conviction of the Party in his declaration to promote the unication of the white races in South Africa, and expressing a belief that the proposed Flag settlement would be an additional factor in promoting national unity. Several members strongly protested against being asked to commit themselves on the flag question and demanded that the two parts of the resolution should be separated. The resolution was carried with ten dissentients.