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Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1927, Page 2

Onu of the must disquieting incidents in recent South African history, considers an exchange, is the speech just made by Gcernl Hcrtzog on the subject of the South African flag, which destroys tbe hope that the deadlock reached a few months ago would result in an amicable compromise. At first sight there appears to he something deliberately cynical and sardonic about Mr Hertzog’s declaration that the country needs pence, and the riow alinnnl flag must be introduced to prevent further disunity and bitterness. For no public measure lias been proposed since tbe establishment of the Union that could lie better calculated to revive the traditional antagonism between Boor ami Briton, and to divide the whole', community into two mutually hostile camps. But though an able man, Air llcrtzog lias many of the characteristics of, the typical Boer—in deed, ho has some affinity with the late Mr Kruger himself—and wlmt his sincere racial prejudices and liis persona! detestation of General Smuts, his groat political rival, he is no doubt I able to justify to himself completely his furious tirade against the “Imperialist jingoes.” If General Hcrtzog had not completely lost his self control, lie should have realised the absurdity of labelling General Smuts .a “jingo” For though General Smuts fought bravely for tile Boers against Britain, he is known not simply throughout tlie Empire, hut all over the civilised world Us it most ardent advocate of disarmament and “jieare by negotiation.” But the Boers have never been remarkable, for a keen Vnse of humour, and in any ease it. is not General Hertzog’s present business to he logical or reasonable. His speech is meant to rouse his followers for the coming conflict, and it is therefore intensely partisan. At the same time, it is clearly intended as a sort of counterblast to the Imperialist tendencies that have been .stimulated and encouraged by the recent visit of the British Secretary of. State for the Dominions, who lias keen received throughout the Union with cordiality and enthusiasm.