THE FLAG QUESTION

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1926, Page 2

THE FLAG QUESTION

AFRICA’S ATTITUDE

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

Capetown, sept, e

Mr Hertzog, in a statement, admitted the relationship with the British Commonwealth of Nations, and said he hoped it would continue indefinitely in the future, but that- did not justify the incorporation of the Union Jack in the Union’s Hag. He said the Union Jack is not the 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 is at all times prepared to have the- relationship of South Africa to the Empire symbolised through the medium of the Union Jack, though not by its corporation in our flag. I and Government are for maintaining relations with the British Empire, but for maintaining it with tlio full integrity of our independent national status. The Union flag is to be symbolic of that independent status, which South Africa as a nation has already achieved. Any suggestion of emphasising the relationship with the British Commonwealth through the same emblem or design upon the Union flag would he favourably considered. If the Flag Committee were to recommend insertion of one of the crowns upon the flag I am confident it would not only meet with the approval of Government, but would offer every satisfaction to both reason and sentiment.

Mr Hertzog denied he intended to ask the Imperial Conference for a written Dominion Constitution, hut said he would urge that the necessary steps he taken to ensure that South Africa’s status was equal to that of Britain and any other Dominion', and was entitled to international recognition, and have it published to the world. He would proceed to the Conference in the full conviction that in relations with Britain and other Dominions as a Commonwealth of free nations, lay the surest guarntce. •