In Cape Town he was judged by his policy.

People forgot that all the time he was at Government House, Cape Town, he was a man as well as a politician: a man whose efforts and work in behalf of his country deserved some kind of consideration even from his enemies.

It is useless to discuss whether Sir Alfred did or did not make mistakes before the beginning of the war.

Why waste words over events which cannot be helped, and about which there will always be two opinions?
Personally, I think that his errors were essentially of the kind which could not have been avoided, and that none of them ever compromised ultimately the great work which he was to bring to a triumphant close.
What I do think it is of value to point out is the calmness which he contrived always to preserve under circumstances which must have been particularly trying for him.

Another outstanding characteristic was the quiet dignity with which he withstood unjustifiable attacks when dealing with not-to-be-foreseen difficulties which arose while carrying on his gigantic task.