RELIEF IN SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19779, 28 October 1927, Page 11

RELIEF IN SOUTH AFRICA.

SETTLED FLAG QUESTION. OLD OPPONENTS FRATERNISE. PARLIAMENT'S PEACE CAKE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER. ] (Received October 27, 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. CAPETOWN. Oct. 26. There is enthusiasm throughout South Africa about the friendly settlement of the flag question. Remarkable scenes occurred in the House of Assembly, which was crowded when the amended bill was read a second time unanimously. The ! Prime Minister, General Hertzog, and the Leader of the Opposition, General Smuts, made impressive speeches. They traced the negotiations which had led to the settlement and referred to its importance from the political and social standpoints. After the sitting had ended the members of all the parties adjourned to the dining hall, where a "peace cake" was cut and there was general fraternising among former political opponents. All the parties recognise that the settlement of the controversy is profoundly important for the future, and that it may lead to an important reshuffling of parties. The country as a whole appears to be accepting the settlement in a fine spirit, and the belief that the last great racial issue has been removed is generally expressed. The Prime Minister made a fine gesture toward the English-speaking members of the Assembly by agreeing at the last moment to make his statement in English. It was a great speech—a triumph of terse sincerity—and loud cheers greeted the pronouncement that this unpleasant chapter in the history of South Africa was definitely closed. On behalf of the Opposition General Smuts made a moving appeal that the country should love the new flag as the flag of united South Africa. Dr. Malan, the Minister lesponsible for the bill, suggested that it should come into operation on Union Day (May 31), which is the day on which is commemorated the end of the struggle between Britain and the Boers.