TROOPING THE COLOUR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 84, 10 April 1945, Page 4

TROOPING THE COLOUR

I was one of the many who observed the apparent "trooping of the colour" at Eden Park last Sunday. Unfortunately, however, I felt at the conclusion of the ceremony neither "thrilled" nor "inspired," as reported in the advertisements heralding the event. Indeed, far from feeling elated, I returned to my home not a little indignant. Indignant not only at Mr. Lynch, who, it appears, is an exponent on the subject, but rather at the many thousands who assembled to observe the spectacle and undoubtedly were influenced by what they saw. These people, typical of the New Zealand public, have once again subjected, in the wave of national apathy at present swamping our Dominion, those principles, customs and associations which constitute the very basis of the British community. 'Few who were present at the above-mentioned functioncould possibly doubt the veracity of the above condemnation. Mr. Lynch, when planning this "inspiring" spectacle, had apparently forgotten, or ignored, the existence of a monarchy. Nobody played, heard or sung the National Anthem—at this the most national of all occasions. Its inherited conservatism was sacrificed, and the flags of nearly all nations were smuggled into the ceremony. Yet, in spite of the bountiful ensigns, the Royal Standard was omitted. Let us in this corner of the Empire troop the colour by all means. But let us do so in a manner truly worthy of all the associations that perpetuate the ceremony wherever Britishers congregate. Let us halt for a moment in our mad rush onward and upward and do a little introspection and stocktaking. Let us remember Britain. R.A.L.