The British Flag.

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 45, 9 November 1927, Page 7

The British Flag.

South African Controversy A Minister's Outburst. A painful sensation has been created in the British section of the community by an interview on the settlement of the flag dispute given to a Dutch newspaper by Dr D F Malan, Minister of the Interior, who was responsible for the Flag Bill. Speaking in Parliament a few days ago Dr Malan said 'loth sides had comprised to an equal extent. Now the Minister has told his interviewer that the Nationalists had lost nothing and that the flying of the Union Jack would sim- - ply show that the country was on friendly terms with Britain. “We can fly the American flag in the same way if South Africa stands on particularly friendly terms with America,” said the Minister “An Imperial flag for the Empire is not necessary as there is no such thing as an Empire,” he continued. “It Britain were at war, South Africa need not even declare her neutrality." British residents are at a loss to understand Dr Malan’s motive, but in political circles it is suspected that his statement was inspired by his personal hostility toward Mr Tielman Roos, Minister of Justice, who worked per--4 sistently for a settlement ot the flag dispute. The Senate has yet to pass the Flag Bill and it is expected Dr Malan will be asked for an explanation of his latest * utterances.