THE FLAG.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 11

THE FLAG.

» — NEW ZEALAND'S ENSIGN. ROMANCE OF THE COLOURS. BELMONT SCHOOLBOY'S ESSAY. The winning essay in the Flag Cup competition, which was won this -year jy the Belmont School, was written by Robert Glynn, whose essay on the subject, "The Flag'.in New Zealand," reads is follows:— All through the ages men have fought and died for their fiags, which they have borne proudly aioit, and we of New Zealand are justly proud oi our Ensign. The first record of the flag in New Zealand occurred in 1769, when Captain Jookj a centuvy and a-quarter after fasman left these fair shores, formally took possession of this country in the name of. King George 111, This ceremony is one of the most important rvents in .our national records. . It was not, however, until some 70 (■ears later, that these islands became a British colony in the true sense of the word. Previous to IS4O several efforts were made to establish settlements in N'ew Zealand, but all ended in complete failure. Success was finally achieved when Governor Hobson, with the aid of the early missionaries, succeeded in persuading Maori chiefs from all parts of N'ew Zealand to sign the Treaty of Wαitangi. This historic event, which is, perhaps, the most important in our island history, occurred en February j, 1840. By signing this document the Maori race acknowledged Queen Victoria as their sovereign, but they retained their lands, while her Government reserved the right to buy such lands as they might desire to sell. She also took the Maoris under her protection, by which they enjoyed full rights and privileges as British subjects. Unfortunately, the promises made in the name of the flag and Queen were not always upheld by the white man, and led to disastrous conflicts between the two races. In the longest and most devastating of these the pakeha won, but the Maoris had lost all faith in the promises made under the flag. Notwithstanding, the Maoris soon became loyal again, and years later were eagei and ready to fight side by side with their white brothers under the British flag. This same Union Jack forms the most significant part in, the design of our Ensign, and fills the top left-hand quarter. The other three quarters .consist of a blue ground, on which arc displayed four five-pointed stars, representing the Southern Cross, our most beautiful constellation. This Ensign, which every New Zealander is proud to salute, means more than a mere scrap of bunting to us, as it symbolises all that we prize most highly. It is right that men should honour and love their Hag and be prepared to sacrifice everything, even their lives, in defence of it. Past experience has proved this to be so, as New Zealand has always readily responded to the call of the Home Country. In the year 1899, when war broke out, and the Boers of the Transvaal united with those of the Orange Free State against the British in Cape Colony, a large army was sent out by Britain to protect these, colonies. At this time there, was a. ready response from Britons in all corners of the globe, and New Zealand rallied to the colours in sending- her quota of men. Fresh honour and glory were added to the flag during this war, proving that Britain's sons of the.South were ever-ready to strike a blow for the safety of the Mother Country. ' This was again shown conclusively at the outbreak of the Great War, in 1914, when our troops fought gloriously shoulder to shoulder with their Australian cousins at Gallipoli. It was not only on land that glory was won, for the Ensign flew at the mast-head of all New Zealand- war-going vessels. Our troops were also summoned to Fiance, where the united armies of Britain and France were engaged in deadly conflict with Germany. Through all this the Ensign was proudly held aloft, and nothing can surpass the valour which was shown by our troops in protecting their tlas» for the.Home Land. It must Imj remembered that, not only in. times of. war, but in times of peace the Hag plays a prominent part in the welfare of the country. This banner flies over the island of Samoa, and the whole'world recognises that New Zealand will govern that island, and see that justice is done there. Tho colours also fly over all Government buildings; and at public functions and gatherings make a bright spot. At the weekly parades in all the schools, the young scholars are proud to saluate the flag, remembering that it stands as a symbol of our nationality. . Wherever the British flag is flown it is recognised as a symbol of justice, liberty and self-sacrifice. In the same way our New Zealand banner bears a similar untarnished reputation; It has never: taken: up the cause of injustice, and has never been guilty of the charge of helping in wars without thought of the consequences. There is no more important duty we shall have to perform as citizens of the British Empire than to keep the good name of the flag unblemished. Each part of the Empire must try to do its duty to itself, as well as to: the Empire, and we must always be ready to sacrifice a little of our own gain and interest, in ordor to secure the highest, welfare of lill the vast territories over which the. fk" flies.