GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1927, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

CAPE FLAG. CAPETOWN, .June 20

The Parliamentary battle over the flag problem lias been renewed. General .Smuts proposed that an impartial tribunal be sot up to consider the matter. lie declared the temper of the country would become worse if the Bill were rushed through at the cud of the session.

The Prime -Minister said that delay would only make matters worse. For years, lie said, the Dutch had had no Hag. It that wrong were not righted the country would be brought to position lor which he could not take the responsibility. He would never allow the Union .Jack to have the dominant position in their national ting. It the sons ol England > i ill opfio.se i a national llag. they would have to hnnrklo under and let the bill pass. General Smuts said lie deplored the Prime .Minister’s .speech, remarking that it was no use talking of thensovereign independence when embarking on a policy which would shatter existing unity.

The Prime Minister described General Smuts’s proposal to have the Union Jack and the old Republican flags as an integral part of the national flag as an insult to the historical feelings of the Dutch South Africans. Ho was determined to proceed with the Hill at all costs. The Government claimed that the new design, with the Union Jack embodied in the shield and with Republican flags in the i cut re ol the old lloli'anil flag, satisfied moderate English opinion. The Opposition lick] that it would require a telescope to see the Union Jack.

FLAG Qf GST lON. (Received this dav at Ul 2b n.m.) CAPETOWN. June 21. Alter a day oi hitter speeches on tho Union’s llag problem, the I’remicr declared it was useless to expect the opposition to compromise. He declared lie would withdraw the .clause providing for a Speakers conference in August and put a bill through with no farther waste of time. Mr Smuts said the Premier was no fiat-riot in moving the passage. lie declared he was chained to the devil of the Nationalist party, who came out at testing time. The developing of the controversy is an amendment .by the La-hour wing proposing to remove the restriction on the living of tho Union Jack on a few specific occasions, and to provide for its being flown officially all the year along with tho now domestic flag, 'flic* Government are believed to be prepared to accept the- amendment as a concession to title Labour allies. Air Smuts declared the Government's latest llag was a transparent fraud. The- country would not be diddled in this way in a matter affecting the deepest sentiments of the people. NAURU REPORT. GKNEYA. June 21.

Sir J. Cook presenting the Nauru report to the .Mandates Commission sates Nauruans were inure prosperous, cleaner, healthier and more intelligent under tlie new regime. They were being taught to initiate sell advancement schemes. Chinese phosphate labourers were well behaved and industrious remitting thousands in savings to China yearly.