BRITISH COMMONWEALTH

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 59, 7 September 1926, Page 10

BRITISH COMMONWEALTH

AND SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG

STATEMENT BY GENERAL

HERTZOG

BELATIONSHIP WITH EMPIBE TO

CONTINUE.

(United _ Press Association.—Copyright) (Becei'vea 7th September, 2 p.m.)

CAPETOWN, 6th' September.

The Prime Minister, General Herteog, in a statement, admitted the relationship of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and sincerely hoped it would continue indefinitely in the future, but that such a thing did not justify the incorporation of the Union Jack in the 'Union flag.

"The Union Jack," he said, "is not an^Empire -flag. It is the flag of Britain, and is connected with the Dominions, and, therefore, with what is known as the British Empire, merely; by historical implications. The Government at all times is prepared to have the relationship of South Africa to the Empire symbolised through the medium of the Union Jack, though not by ita incorporation in their flag." He and the Government were for maintaining the present relations with the British Empire, but. for maintaining it with the full integrity of the Union's independent national status. The Union flag is to be symbolic of that independent national status which South Africa as a nation had already achieved. Any suggestion emphasising the relationship of the British Commonwealth through some emblem or design upon-the Union flag would be favourably considered. If the Flag Committee were to-recommend the insertion of the Crown upon the Union flag he was confident not only that it would meet with.the approval of the Government, bnt that it would offer every satisfaction to both reason and sentiment, General Hertzog denied that he intended to ask the Imperial Conference for a written Dominion Constitution. but he will urge that the necessary steps be taken to ensure South Africa's status being equal to that of Britain and any other Dominion entitled to international recognition, and to have it published to the world. 'I shall proceed to the Conference," he edded, "in the full conviction thatin the relations of Britain and the other Dominions as a Commonwealth of free nations' lies tho surest guarantee." :