“WAVING THE FLAG”

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 154, 17 March 1923, Page 5

“WAVING THE FLAG”

ARCHBISHOP JULIUS IRRITATED. BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. I Christchurch. March 15. Interviewed to-day on his return from Australia, Archbisho" Julius referred to the “Waving of the flag” question. He said that as a citizen of the Britisn Empire for 75 years he deprecated having to sign a form of allegiance on returning to New Zealand after an absence of about a fortnight. Surely ha did, not change his politics or his regard for the Empire within a fortnight. He had noticed in Australia no agressive national sentiment such as existed w'i New Zealand. Though he had been over two years away from New South Wales, he had had to sign nothing at all. When he arrived at Sydney, the authorities had taken no account of him •—not even medically; 'but coining into New Zealand- was apparently a very ■ serious matter. Concerning the Labour Government, His Grace said that he had heard little about it except abuse. The genera! feeling was that tho perfect democratic Government had not yet arrived. At present it was not the best men who came to the fore, but the mediocrities. ['The Dominion recently published an announcement of the Government’s intention to abolish the oath of allegiance at present required of British citizens on their arrival in New Zealand. Legislation will be necessary.]