ISOLATIONIST IDEAL
SOUTH AFRICAN VIEWS ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR A review of the traditions, philosophies and political aspirations of the people of South Africa and their attitude towards the present war was given by Professor J. Y. T. Greig, of the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, at a luncheon held by the Auckland branch of the Royal Empire Society. Professor Greig said he was frequently asked whether South Africans were pro-German and anti-British, in view of the varying opinions expressed in relation to the war. He said ,he would endeavour to explain the attitude of mind of those who were not enthusiastic about participation in the war. The history and background of the Afrikaners, who were descended from a long line of Calvanistic and selfreliant Boer farmers, had to be appreciated. They resented any suggestion of sentimental tie of Empire, and their policy was one of isolation and to be free from all entaglements with Europe. Therein lay the fundamental difference from the British outlook. We accepted industrialism and world trade and a scattered Empire as a matter of course. The language of the Afrikaners intensified their ideals; they looked upon it as a symbol of their freedom and independence and isolation. However honourable this ideal was in itself, concluded the speaker, he feared that it .was obsolete and impracticable in this modern world.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19400928.2.57
Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 24415, 28 September 1940, Page 8
Word Count
222ISOLATIONIST IDEAL Otago Daily Times, Issue 24415, 28 September 1940, Page 8
Using This Item
Allied Press Ltd is the copyright owner for the Otago Daily Times. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Allied Press Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.