SOUTH AFRICA’S STATUS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17132, 7 September 1926, Page 11

SOUTH AFRICA’S STATUS

PART OF THE EMPIRE

HERTZOG ’S DECLARATION

BUT INDEPENDENT NATION.

lElcc. Tel Copy right—United Press Assn.! (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.;

(.Received Sepl. 7, p.m.! CAPETOWN, Sepl. i

General llerizng, in a statement, admilled a relationship with the British commonwealth of nations, and said in hoped ii would continue indefinitely in t lie fill me, but - t hat did not just ify I lie incorporation of the Union .lack iu Ihe Union’s flag.

He said: ‘‘The Union .lack: is not the Empire Hag. II is Ihe flag of Britain, and is eonnecled wilii the Dominions, and therefore willi what- is known as I lie British Empire, merely by historical implienl ions. The Government is al all limes prepared |o have the- relationship of Mouth. Africa, to the Empire symbolised through the medium of the Union .Tack, though not by its incorporation in our (lag. I and the Government, are for maintaining the relation with ihe British Empire, hut for maintaining it with a full integrity of our independent national status.

'"'The Union flag is to be symbolic of 1 1 >a I independent status which Siniili Africa as a nation has already achieved. Any suggestion of emphasising relationship with ihe I T i"i t i .-*) i commonwealth through some emblem or design upon the Union flag would be favorably considered. If the. flag committee were to recommend the insertion of the crown upon the flag I am eonfldent it would not only meet with the approval of the Government, lull would offer every satisfaction to hot l reason aml sent i men I. ’ ’

General llert/.og denied that lie intended In as!-; ihe lineprial Conference for a written Dominion constitution, bu! said he would urge that the necessary steps be taken to ensure I hat Mouth Africa's status was equal In tliat of Britain, ami any oilier Dominion entitled to international recognition, and have iI published to the world, lb' would proceed to the Conforeiu'o in (he full eon vied ion that in relations with Britain and ihe other Dominions as a commonwealth of free nations lay the surest guarantee.