A PAINFUL SENSATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19988, 3 November 1927, Page 7

A PAINFUL SENSATION

ANTI-BRITISH SPEECH Malan Says Flying of Union Jack Means Nothing SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG WRANGLE. (By Telerraph—Per Pre»s Ann.—Copyright.) Received Nov. 2, 11.10 p.m. (A. & N.Z.) CAPE TOWN, Nov. 2. A painful sensation has been created among the British section by an interview on the flag settlement given to the Dutch Press by Mr Malan, the Minister responsible for the Flag Bill. Speaking in Parliament a few days ago. Mr Malan declared that both sides had compromised to an equal extent. Now he tells the interviewer: “The Nationalists lost nothing. The flying of the Union Jack simply shows that the country is on friendly terms with Britain. They can fly the American flag similarly if South Africa stands on particularly friendly terms with America.” Mr Malan also declared that an Ini perial flag for the Empire was unnecessary. as there was no such thing as the Empire, and if Britain were at war South Africa need not even declare its neutrality. Britishers are at a loss to understand Mr Malan’s motive, but political circles suspect that the statement was inspired by Mr Malan’s personal hostility towards Mr Ross, who worked persistently for the flag settlement. The Senate has yet to pass the Flag Bill, and it is expected that Mr Malau will be asked for an explanation. MAY LEAD TO CABINET CRISIS. Interviewed, Mr Roos disagreed entirely with Mr Malan’s interview. He declared that the Government had undoubtedly given concessions. That fact and the Bill were both clearly to the effect that the Union Jack was one of the two flags of South Africa. The quarrel between the two Ministers may lead to a Cabinet crisis.