MEN are properly influenced by sentiment, and equally properly cherish symbols which represent the sentiments that have influenced their lives and the lives of their fathers before them. In its wisdom the Catholic Church has fully recognized both these facts, and its sacred symbols — its crucifixes and its images — are by no means the least valuable of its possessions. Similarly in the life of nations the flag that represents unity, that recalls achievement, and that stimulates reasonable pride is a possession to be cherished by every patriot. We therefore thoroughly appreciate the opposition of the English in South Africa to the Government’s suggestion that the Union Jack shall form no part of the new Dominion flag, and we note with satisfaction that the opposition of the English is enthusiastically supported at meetings of the native population. The Union Jack stands for a great idea. There are many sad blunders in the history of our country. The story of our relations with subject peoples cannot be read all through without an occasional blush of shame. But, none the less, on the whole it is a noble story. The ideals have been high, even though they have not always been attained. The flag on which the sun never sets is the symbol of freedom, justice, and human progress, despite the faults of the English and the strictures of their enemies. Moreover, it now stands for the union of what have become virtually independent nations, of which South Africa is one of the most important. To ban the Union Jack is for South Africa to go back to the narrow and limiting particularism from which she was delivered by the statesmanship of Botha and General Smuts.

The Church Times digital archive is available free to subscribers.