DAY BY DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16814, 4 June 1926, Page 6

DAY BY DAY.

General Hertzog does claim, as lead-

New Flag for South Africa.

ing Canadians have also done, more powers for liis country within the Empire, and it is

less than certain that the obtaining of those powers does not hulk as more important In his mind than continuance within its system. A more disturbing sign of how the wind may be blowing has been the National Flag Bill, brought down by a Boer Minister in his Cabinet, which proposed a new Hag for South Africa, recalling the old Boer independence, and in which the Union Jack was to have no part. The Bill promptly provoked among the British members of the Union what lias been described as “the greatest outburst of public feeling for many years.’’ Mr Straclian, who is a Labour member from the most British State—Natal—had to warn the Government that if the measure was passed not a single Labourite would bo returned lo Parliament. And that would be the end of the Hertzog Government. A llag may be “only a bit of bunting, only a tattered rag,” but it is a symbol of one of tiie deepest sentiments men can know. If a llag is wanted, as Dr Malan professed, which would “bind two sections into a common nationhood,” this was obviously not the one which could effect such a purpose, it lias been made amply clear by Hie tumult of resentment against it that its legal adoption could Imvc no other result Ilian that which General Smuts had predicted of dividing Uic country again into two camps. It is now announced that tiie Government lias announced that tiie Government lias withdrawn Hie Flag Bill. Tiie oliicial statement is'that it will be reintroduced next session, but it will be much better for all parties in South Africa if it is forgotten.—Dunedin Slar.

Addressing the Secondary Schools'

Objectives in Education.

Association, the Minister of Education (Hon. R. A. Wright) disclaimed any idea of discussing details ol

policy. He touched upon a very important educational problem, however, ill emphasising the apparent desirability of broadening ihc scope of the secondary course. Neither Hie new Minister of Education nor Hie country can afford to lie salislied with the existing condition of secondary education or with Us results. As matters stand, a large proportion of the pupils going to secondary schools remain there for 100 brief a period to derive any real advantage. Of the remainder, many receive a course ol' instruction that gives them no very helpful preparation for their after careers. As Mr Wright observed yes--1,,,.day, there is ail unsalislled demand in Ibis country for artisans. On Hie oilier hand, tlm ruling trend in secondary education is to a considerable exient responsible for an overerowd2n"- of Hie professions that is already serious, and Ihreatens to become much more serious in Hie near future. A naval deal of lime lias been spent m conning over tlm problem Unis presented hut tlm way is not yet dearly opened. For long enough now, onr principal educational authorities lu.e been denouncing Ihc undue dominance of Ihe matriculation standard in secondary schools. Specific proposals for the widening of the secondary course arc however, yet to seel;, and d is not liv anv means clear Unit Hie more 01 loss experimental elaborations now being attempted or considered, nnlably Ihe extension of Ihe junior high sehoo system, will really conduce to the end dial all professedly desire to allam.llominion, Wellington.

The executive of the Matiawalu Competitions Society lias not met yet lo consider the financial side of Ihe recent festival, hut it is understood that Ihc door takings were £OO ahead of last year as a result of the large attendances.