A HERTZOG FLUTTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 22 October 1926, Page 7

A HERTZOG FLUTTER.

CANDID PRESS CRITICISM. FREEDOM AND OPPRESSION. LONDON, October 21. The diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Herald" says one portion of the speech delivered by the Prime Minister of South Africa, General Hertzog, at the opening of the Imperial Conference has considerably fluttered official circles. ■

General Hertaog'e views have never been concealed, says tiie correspondent, but recently there has been an impression that he had moderated them. Therefore the passage "In the practice of consultation with a'view to co-opera-tion wherever possible," wijen . only ceremonious politeness was,, expected from dim, came as a shock.

"Co-operation wherever possible," says the writer, is a far weaker obligation than any alliance. It reduces the Empire to a rather shadowy entente. The "Star" says General Hertzog has come to the conference in the trying temper of a candid friend. He challenges the otaer Dominions to recognise that South Africa will only remain in the Commonwealth on her own terms.

"No doubt Mr. Baldwin will apply the soothing syrup of political commonplaces," says the writer. "He should add that if General Hertzog's idea of free nationhood includes freedom to impose on native races an oppressive domination, which is part of General Hertzog's policy, it will bo difficult to keep South Africa within an Empire which is based on the theoretical erjuality of men of every colour."— (Sydney "Sun.")