SOUTH AFRICA MAY ADOPT ROYAL STANDARD

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18045, 4 January 1927, Page 14

SOUTH AFRICA MAY ADOPT ROYAL STANDARD

By Telegraph.— Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Associuiun. CAPETOWN, January 3. At the opening of the Labour Party’s annual congress at Bloemfontein. Colonel F. 11. P. Cresswell said that the Prime Minister had authorised him to state that the Flag Bill would be proceeded with, but with the addition of a suggestion 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 connection with the Empire. This, however, would necessitate the cessation of Party strife and the consent of the Opposition as they could not petition the King for the use of the domestic symbol of the Royal House except as a united people. Mr Boydell, referring to the suggested re-olrientation of the parties, said that the Labour Party in any case would maintain its separate identity. It could never co-operate with a combined South African and Nationalist party. An animated debate followed the proposal of a resolution congratulating General Ilertzog on the success of his labours at the Imperial Coxiference, expressing the conviction that the declaration would promote the unification of the white races of South Africa, and expressing the belief that the proposed flag settlement would be an additional factor in promoting national unity. Several members strongly protested against 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.