if aylward and statham had been characterised by their anti-imperialist stance, rose was something of a british patriot. it is therefore not surprising to find that the paper under rose took a strong stance against the union of the two british colonies and the two ex-boer republics, which resulted in the formation of the union of south africa in 1910. rose was particularly concerned that natal's, and particularly pietermaritzburg's, interests would be overlooked by the new state. he was also extremely hostile towards general j. b. m. hertzog, the leader of the political opposition, for what he saw as his anti-british and pro-afrikaner sentiments.