FLAG OF “FREE INDIA”

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25244, 24 July 1947, Page 7

FLAG OF “FREE INDIA”

ASSEMBLY APPROVES

NEHRU’S REFERENCE TO INDONESIAN WAR

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) NEW DELHI, July 22. The Indian Constituent Assembly to? day adopted the new national flag of “Free India,” which was presented in the Assembly yesterday by Pandit Nehru. The flag is a tricolour of deep saffron, white, and dark green in horizontal lines with a navy blue wheel symbolising unity on the centre white band. Pandit Nehru said: “This flag is not, I hope, a flag of empire, a flag of imperialism, or a flag of domination over anybody, but a flag of freedom.” Referring to events in Burma and Indonesia, Pandit Nehru said: “Three days ago this House, the country, and the world were shocked by the brutal murder in a neighbouring country of the leaders of the nation. To-day we read of an attack by an imperialistic Power in a friendly country in southeast Asia.

“Freedom is still far off from this world, and all nations, in a greater or lesser degree, are struggling for that freedom. If we have not at present exactly achieved what we have aimed at, it is nothing to be surprised at and nothing to be ashamed of. I think our achievement is no small one.”

The leader of the Moslem League in the Assembly, Choudhry Khalikuzzan, pledged the loyalty of Indian Moslems to the flag.

ASSENT TO ROYAL WEDDING

PRIVY COUNCILLORS SUMMONED

MEETING TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, July 2?. The King’s formal assent to Princess Elizabeth’s marriage to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten will be given qt Buckingham Palace at a meeting of the Privy Council on July 31. The Lord President of the Council (Mr Herbert .Morrison) is expected to read the order under the Royal Marriages Act and the King will bow and say “Approved.” The High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. J- Jordan), who is a Privy Councillor, has received a summons from the Palace to be present. 'Mr Jordan returned during the weekend from Geneva, where he led the New Zealand delegation to the International Labour Conference. Broadcasting House officials are at present discussing the possibility of televising the Royal weddingIt is stated that the plans will not be affected if the wedding takes place at Windsor instead of Westminster Abbey, but a great deal will depend upon persuading the Church authorities to permit the use of television equipment in a place of religious worship. Their Majesties, with the Princesses and Lieutenant Mountbatten, inspected lhe Home Fleet in the Firth qf Clyde to-day. Lieutenant Mountbatten explained various naval points to Princess Elizabeth as they walked round lhe flagship Duke of York,

LOSS ON BRITISH RAILWAYS

COST TO BE BORNE BY TREASURY

MINISTER PUTS FIGURE AT £37,000,000

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, July 22. The Minister of Transport (Mr Alfred Barnes) has informed the House of Commons that the operations of British railways this year are likely to involve a loss of £37,000,000, which will fall upon the Treasury. An estimate on a similar basis for next year, said Mr Barnes, indicated a deficiency of £28,000,000, but it did not take into account any additional cost which would be incurred should effect be given to the recent recommendation cf the court of inquiry approving increased wages and shorter hours for railwaymen. During the war years the Government collected £200,000,000 profits from the railway companies under an agreement which stipulated that the Government should carry the burden of any losses and collect any profits over a certain amount. The railways showed a substantial profit return uqtil 1946, when the deficit under the cgreement was £11,300,000.