SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 3 November 1927, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG.

A PAINFUL SITUATION. CREATED BY INTERVIEW. Press Association-Electric Telegraph-Copyricbi. CAPE TOWN, Wednesday. A painful.sensation has been created among- the; British section by an ins terview on the tlag settlement given to the Dutch press by Dr. Alalan, the Minister responsible for the Flag Bill. Speaking in Parliament a few days ago, Dr. Alalan declared that both sides had compromised to an equal extent. Now he tells an. interviewer: — ••The Nationalists lost . nothing, that the tiring of the Union Jack simply shows that the country is on friendly terms with Britain, and That they can tlv the American'flag similarly if South Africa stands on particularly friendly terms with America.” Dr. Alalan also declared that an Jm : porial flag for the Empire was unneeessarv. as there was no. such thing as an Empire, and if Britain were at war South Africa need not even declare its neutrality.

Britishers are at a loss to understand J>r. Mabin’s motive, but political circles suspect ih.'ir the statement was inspired by Dr. Alalan‘s personal hostilitv towards Air Boos, who worked persistently for the flag settlement. The Senate lias yet to pass the Flag Bill, and it is expected that Dr. Alalan will be asked for an explanation. MAY LEAD TO CRISIS. CAPE TOWN. Wednesday. 1 n te r v io weil , Mr Ihielman Rook disagreed entirely with Air Malnii’s Press interview regarding the 'flag settlement. He declared that the Government had undoubtedly given concessions that facts, and the Hill both clearly effect. The Union .lack is one of the two flags of South Africa. The quarrel between the two Ministers may lead io a Cabinet crisis.