SOUTH AFRICAN UNITY

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20255, 26 July 1937, Page 12

SOUTH AFRICAN UNITY

DIFFERENCES SUBMERGED.

NEW BRIRIT 81 NOE BOER WAR. Raoial differences in South Africa have been wonderfully submerged, and there has been a progressive union of spirit among the two peoples of the country in the third of a century since the Boer War. These were the opinions expressed by Mr J. W. Timberlake, dlreotor of John Dickinson and Company (Africa) Ltd., Cape Town, who is visiting New Zealand In the course of a world tour (says The Dominion). The problem facing the conference which evolved the Union after the war had been to find a basis of compromise, Mr Timbe'rlake said. Two main compromises were effected in the building of the dual language and in the building, of two capitals, the legislative centre at Cape Town, and the administrative centre at Pretoria, to meet the claims of the Dutch. The Government buildings in the latter city were a fine sight from the town; the House of Assembly being in Cape Town involved many journeys by Government officers when the House was sitting and in some cases very long journeys for members. The scheme had been fairly satisfactory In Its working in spite of these inconveniences Mutual Understanding. .The basis of mutual understanding had been largely developed by the education of the Dutch and English side by side, by the rise of a new generation, inter-marriage and the appreciation by each side’ of the other’s good points. To-day most of the British in South Africa, whether born there or not, counted among their friends Dutch people, and the Dutoh reoiprocated in the same - way. From actually differing positions politically of General Hertzog and General Smuts there had developed a real understanding and comradeship between these two great men. General Hertzog was 70 years of age and General Smuts 66; but they had both announced frequently in public that in the years left to them their chief aim and object would be to further the unity of the two race's.

The attitude of General Smuts and General Hertzog. had been a great, example to the people' and thinking people liad followed it well. Both men were highly respected and, while General Hertzog might have been understood to be out of sympathy with Imperial Ideals, on the essentials of a safe relationship with and recognition of Great Britain he had given no room for doubt. Exaggerated Views. “I have' often been asked on my tour through India and Australia about the possibility of further outbreaks, and about the restless condition of the Dutch,” said Mr Timberlgke. “That is. I think, an exaggerated opinion formed on the strength of the occasional references to the flag and sovereignty. “It is surprising that after so short a period, as history counts the years, such a measure of unity should have been achieved as we have now obtained and it forms a wonderful example to the restless movements of Northern Europe.”

As evidence of his qualification to speak on the general state of the Union, Mr Tlmberlake said that he has been in South Africa since before, the Boer War, and his business had required constant travelling to all parte of the Union and Rhodesia during all that time. This is his second visit to New Zoaland in 14 years, and he will return to South Africa by way of America and England. Mr Timberlake, who has just retired, is a foundation member of the Cape Town Rotary Club.