Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1927, Page 2

Most people will learn with satisfaction and relief that a compromise has been effected over the South African Flag Bill. Alter .prolonged private negotiations between llertzog and Smuts an agreement lias been reached which, while it certainly will not satisfy the extremists on .either side, supplies a practicable ‘’modus Vivendi,” and may serve to avert serious political social and national complications in the future. The two points secured by General Smuts represent material concessions bv the Nationalists to tile British and Imperial point of view. The Eli ion Jack is to be recognised its the Imperial Flag <>l South Africa, and is to be tlowa as such oil ships, docks, and Parliamentary and Government buildings. 'lbis is it distinct improvenint on the provision in the original for flying the l nion Jack officially four times in the year. '1 hen the I'nion Jack, when it appears on the new Xatioaal Flag, is to he considerably enlarged and to enjoy a more cmtupicuotis and honourable position than the place originally allotted to it in that curiously conglomerate standard Assuming that this compromise means the end of the hitler and protracted struggle that arose over the Nationalist Flag proposals, we may well wonder, remarks ail exchange, ■ why General llertzog, if he were prepared to give way so far, has adopted so defiant. and truculent a lone in .supporting his Flag Bill. The truth probably is that he hits been “playing to the gallery’’ and endeavouring to prove to his own followers that he is as good a Boer as the host of them. But it seems to us that tactics,of this sort are indefensible in a great national crisis, and llertzog has probably lost more than lie has gained by his gratuitously insulting language and by the fierce resentment that he has aroused among loyalists throughout South Africa.