BOTHA’S STATUE.

Shannon News, 11 October 1929, Page 3

BOTHA’S STATUE.

CABINET WON’T HAVE IT.

PUBLIC INDIGNATION

(“Sun” Special.)

'CAPETOWN, Friday.,

Surprise and regret are .expressed throughout South Africa at the decision of the Prime Minister (General Hertzog) and Cabinet to refuse to allow a; monument to the first Prime Minister, the late General Louis Botha. 1 This, it was proposed, should be ereeted in the grounds of the Union Buildings at Pretoria. The reason given for the refusal is that only memorials “which bear a truly national character” can be permitted. General Hertzog, in a lettej:, states that it is the duty of the Government to take precautions to ensure that no misuse is made of the grounds by placing therein all sorts of memorials by members of a family, or admirers in honour of events of little or no national character.

At the .same time, he agrees that the Union Buildings are a suitable place for memorials, and that General Botha’s might, ultimately, not be out of place /there. But he does not see any effective precaution, other than the fixing of a period of 50 years at least, before it is determined, irrespective of the person concerned.

The refusal and the letter are widely denounced, General Smuts declaring that it is impossible to find adequate words to describe the pettiness and even meanness of the decision.

“General Botha was a gieat national figure. The first Union Prime Minister should be commemorated by the first .statue in the Union Building grounds,” he said. The refusal of this natural request was so amazing that it would shock South Africa, and even the whole world.