HONOURING KRUGER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 244, 15 October 1925, Page 6

HONOURING KRUGER.

Much history, which is now some distance away and has been overshadowed by greater events, is recalled by the messages about the Kruger centenary in South Africa. At Pretoria 20,000 people assembled to witness the unveiling of a statue erected in honour of the Boer leader. The ceremony was performed by General Hertzog, the Prime Minister, who said that Kruger had ceased to *be merely a Transvaal hero and was now a South African hero. A high tribute was also paid by General Smuts, who was one of Kruger's officers, but who now stands wholeheartedly for the British connexion. It was said at the time that Kruger deserved a statue in London as the man who demonstrated the unity of the British Empire. The history of General Smuts shows that he did more; he gave tho Empire an opportunity of showing what it could do to reconcile enemies to its rule. These centenary celebrations have brought parties together to honour a great South African. A wreath was placed on the statue on behalf of King George by the Governor-General, and generous tributes were paid by the English Presfi at the Cape. These tributes not only show the mellowing efTcct of time and the magnanimity of the British, but they also show how with the passing of the years faults are forgotten and the good "behind them is remembered. During the latter part of his life, in all the period which immediately preceded the Boer war and during tho war itself, Kruger was almost universally execrated throughout the Empire, and lie had severe critics among his own people. At that time the defects of his character came to the front. He was intensely narrow and bigoted, and unable to understand the point of view of those who were merely seeking just conditions. Yet he was a patriot as he understood the word. He believed himself to be fighting in the cause of liberty and independence, and he exhibited all the stubbornness and heroism of the Boer temperament. The British against whom he had fought, and whom he had frequently treated with scant justice and

consideration, recognised that he had shown a genuine love of country, and when lie dic<l at Mditonc in 1904 his body was lni<r?i to Pretoria and buried with all honours. During his recont visit to South Africa the Prince of Wales placed a wreath on his grave, and, anion may he taken as symbolical of the general opinion now lipid by British and Dutch alike in regard to this remarkable man. His mistakes, his defects, liis failures to understand, lie buried with his body in his grave. His many genuine virtues, his courage and heroism, his singleness of aim, and hi* real desire to serve his country and his race, mistaken though its expression was—these things can never die.