EQUAL STATUS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 4 June 1938, Page 15

EQUAL STATUS

SOUTH AFRICA’S DECISION THE ANTHfcM CONTROVERSY CAPETOWN, June 2. The Minister of Education (Mr R. Stuttaford) resigned owing to the omission of the National Anthem from a Union Day ceremony. After a Cabinet decision, however, giving equal status to “ God Save the King” and “Die Stem van Suid Africa,” Mr Stuttaford withdrew his resignation. CABINET SPLIT AVERTED PUBLIC FEELING STILL INFLAMED LONDON, June 3. (Received June 4, at 0.30 a.m.) The Capetown correspondent of The Times says that, although the withdrawal of Mr Studdaford’s resignation has apparently ended the threatened serious split in the Cabinet, public feeling is still inflamed. Mr Studdaford who, during the election campaign, gave his constituents an explicit assurance that the National Anthem would not be endangered, is satisfied with the Cabinet’s decision that both anthems will be played in future. The Cabinet statement, however, while clearing up the legal position, contains no hint of sympathy with or understanding of the feelings of those hurt. A large number of English-speaking supporters of the Government have been antagonised, while the Nationalists are gloating over what they regard as the irreconcilability of the two sections of the United Party.