THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2647, 18 December 1915, Page 14

THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE

SYMBOL OF Till! COLOURS

Speaking at tho break-up of tho Olydo Quay School yesterday, the Rev. Archibald Hunt, addressing tho children in the schoolground ; spoke forcibly of the spirit embodied in the red, white, and blue—the colours of tho grand did flag they wero all so proud of. The secret of the greatness of our glorious Empire was not merely the army which had done such wonderful work, nor the Navy of which tlioy were all so proud, but it was something that lay behind both—it was the symbol that was vested in tho three colours —read, white, and blue. White—what did white stand for? It was the foundation colour of the flag, and it stood for all the highest, noblest, and greatest virtues of tho human mind—purity, goodness, or that righteousness which exaltetli a nation. Whilst he was living in the Pacific Islands the thing he was proudest oi was being an FAlgJishman—it- was sufficient to tell a native that anything was English to convince him that v it stood for all that was' best and most reliable. White also stood for purity of character, and no man could be a true citizen of the Empire without being a faithful adherent to all whito stood roi-. The colour blue was symbolical of honour, faith, loyalty, and truth—that' was why the term "blue-blooded" was applied to tho real aristocracy of any people. It was the spirit of the cokmr that kept us faithful to the traditions of the past and the ideals of the present. What was it that brought the Jimpire into the present war but that Bonse of deep honour that blue stands for. Their was an old adage which said "An Englishman's word is his bond" —it. was that feeling and pride of nation which would always refuse to allow us to' go back on the blue in the flag. (Applause.)

Lastly, ho would remind them of red —the red cross in the flag, and its most prominent colour, which stood for sacrifice! No man could be a true citizen of the Empire without realising the obligation laid upon hini by the colour— which even callcd .on him to lay down his lifo for the Empire. ' It was tho red cross that figured on our hospitals, and which was worn on the arms of the brave men who wont into the thick of the battle without the means,of defence to rescue the wounded; and it was the red cross Ihat was -worn by the noble women who had made such Sacrifices by giving themselves to the servico of the wounded: It was not enough to bo proud of the Empire, but wo must make the Empire proud of ns, and to do. that they must all practice the virtues symbolised in the red, white, and blue. Ho hoped they would all have a Merry Christmas and /a happy holiday, but he hoped they would not forget the claims of Empire in their work or play, by night or day,, and try to he true to the spirit of the three colours in <*'ir flag— red, white, and blue. (Applause.)