Dr. Malan's Survey
The most important feature of Dr. Malan's interesting and comprehensive review of South African policy on Monday was his statement that in view of the uncertainties of British politics he was adopting a waiting attitude in regard to the Protectorates, and not at present approaching the British Government on the matter. The decision is to be welcomed, for while Dr. Malan is wrong in thinking that party differences on that question exist in this country, there is sufficient dissent from South Africa's native policy to make any immediate controversy in that field highly undesirable ; time, or a decision by the electors, may bring change in the right direction. The Prime Minister is himself Foreign Minister also, and in that capacity he made some sensible observations about the foolishness and inconsistency of boycotting Spain, alone among totalitarian States, mentioning that he was considering accrediting the South African representative at Lisbon to Madrid also. Though required, no doubt, to say something about South Africa's status in the Commonwealth Dr. Malan, in fact, said nothing very definite. It was always realised that the agreement reached with India opened the door to the assumption of a completely republican form of government by any other Commonwealth State. If South Africa did desire to take that course no one would or could hinder her, though the prospect of it makes the apparent sincerity of the enthusiasm with which King and Queen were welcomed throughout the Union three years ago a little perplexing. The Vnion is taking a path of its own, and it must regretfully be recognised that our relations with her are marked by less cordiality than those with any other member of the Commonwealth. That is all the more reason for avoiding all avoidable causes of offence on both sides.
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