NATIONAL FLAGS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 175, 19 April 1940, Page 6

NATIONAL FLAGS

Address To St. Andrew’s Burns Club An address, ‘‘Our National Flags,” was given ‘by Mr. W. B. Mqllveney, at a recent meeting of the St. Andrew’s Burns Club. Mr. J. R. Baird presided. Beginning with the traditional history of the Gaelic national flag, Mr. McIlveney went on to the Gaelic Royal Standard, the Royal Standard of Scotland, the national banners of Scotland, England and Ireland, and finally the British Imperial Flag,. The description and symbolism of each were explained in detail. Mr. Mcllveney. spoke _of the Union Jack —its origin, its guardians, its meaning, and its purpose —in the course of -which he paid tribute to the British Armv, Navy, and Air Force, -to all who fought with them in the Great War, and to those who had now gone forth to defend again the principles of humanity. He made an appeal to all to join hearts and hands for the safety and sanctity of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The audience stood in silence as R mark of respect for Mrs. Rait, the club s oldest member, who died at the age of 91; for Mt. N. MoWhannell, a .past-presi-dent of the Burns Federation, Scotland; and for the late Prime Minister. A crystal vase was presented to Mrs. AV. Hall in appreciation of her services as club pianist. The following gave items: —Miss J. Hogg, “A AVee Scotch Nicht.” and “A Scot’s Lament”; Mrs. McLeod, “Angus MacDonald” and “Hail Caledonia”; Miss J. ‘Stirling, “Aly Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” and “The Cooper of Fyfe”: Mr. N. Grenfell “The Road to the Isles” and “Hundred Pipers”; Mr. J. B. Thomson read two poems, “The Pipes of Auld Scotland” and “A Wee Bit of Heather,” which were written by Mr. C. Kieth, a member of the club. The pianist for the evening was Mrs. F. London, and the song-leader Mr. D. N. Kieth. The pipe music was played by Piper R. MacKenzie.