THE FLAG OF AFRICA

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1927, Page 9

THE FLAG OF AFRICA

THE BILL TO PROCEED PROPOSED ROYAL STANDARD. DEBATE BY LABOUR CONGRESS By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Capetown, Jan. 3. At the opening of the annual congress of the Labour Party at Bloemfontein, Mr. Cresswell (Minister of Defence and Labour) said the Premier had authorised him to state that the Flag Bill would be proceeded with, but in addition to the sngestion for the inclusion of the Imperial Crown, the Government would consider the adoption of the Royal Standard, which would -eliminate the idea that it was intended to ignore bhe connection with the Empire. This, however, would necessitate the cessation of party strife and the consent of the Opposition, as they could not petition for the use of the domestic symbol of the Royal House except as a united people. Mr; Boydell (Minister of Posts and Telegraphs and Public Works), referring to the suggested reorientation of parties, said the Labour Party in any case would maintain its separate identity. It could never co-operate with the combined South African or Nationalist Party. An animated debate followed the proposal of a resolution congratulating General Hertzog on the success of his labours at the Imperial Conference, expressing the conviction that its declaration would promote the unification of the white races in South Africa, and expressing the belief that the proposed flag settlement would be an additional factor in promoting national unity. Several members strongly protested at being asked to commit themselves on the flag question and demanded that the two parts of the resolution should be separated. The resolution was carried, with ten dissentients.