New flag

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 16

New flag

Sir,—Talk about fiddling while Rome burns. For almost two years, while New Zealand’s .’economy has been steadily going to the dogs, our politicians have rattled on about nuclear ships, homosexual law and the great Rainbow Warrior saga. Now an-

other red herring is emerging, our new flag. Why should we even consider another flag? When I went to school we were taught to honour our King and country and our flag. I am not highly educated, but I can count to five, so I can distinguish between our flag and the Australian one. May I suggest that if we are to have a new flag it should be a red one with a small green Kiwi with its head buried in the sand in the bottom right-hand ccSrner. — Yours, etc., -

. M. FERGUSON, ~ Springs Junction. ~ July 17,1986. * T ” *

Sir,—Last Friday saw the release of a new design for a New Zealand flag. I do not want a new national flag that looks like a boring beach towel. — Ypurs, etc.,

P. MCLAUGHLIN. July 22, 1986.

Sir, —The silver fern has been strongly associated with New Zealand for more than half a century. My husband was proud to be a New Zealand representative oarsman in the 19205. When we moved to England in the 1930 s he took up golf and used to practise on the back lawn in his black blazer, embossed with the silver fern. One morning a group of Lancashire lads were watching him over the garden fence. “Are you New Zealand?” one asked. “How do you know?” he asked. Quick as a flash came the reply: “New Zealand butta, o’course.” — Yours, etc.,