MONEY FOB THE FLAG.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 56, 15 September 1928, Page 8

MONEY FOB THE FLAG.

A vote of £10 on the Education Department's Estimates for New Zealand Ensigns for New v Zealand schools prompted Mr. J., A. Lee (Auckland East) to indulge in some mild satire at the expense of the Beform Party in the House of Representatives yesterday. In 1927-28 £10 was voted for NewZealand ensigns and £1 was spent, remarked Mr. Lee. "£1 worth of patriotism," he continued. "Directly, we will have the Union Jack and the New Zealand ensign on the corner of election literature and draped over the chairman's table," said Mr. Lee, "and yet this Department of Education, which claims that it is so much concerned about patriotism of the future citizens of New Zealand, expended £1 on the New Zealand flag in 1927-28. It has £10 on the Estimates for the year, and probably with the retrenchment that is prevalent it will spend about 2s 6d. Out of a total vote of £30,000,060, £10 for a New Zealand ensign, although we'll spend thousands of pounds on embroidoring it on election literature and draping it round the chairman's table. The Government which imposes administratively the oath of allegiance on every teacher expended the large sum of £1. Twenty shillings' worth of patriotism. I almost feel like subsidising the Government's venture in patriotism £ for £. Two hundred and forty pennies— not a penny per school —this wonderful party insists by law that all the children shall parade in front of the flag onco a week and pay due atteution ' to it, and to give the children something to honour wo provide £10 on the Estimates." Mr. G. B. Sykes (Masterton): "Every school is supplied with flags now.'' Mr. Lee: "Those flags must bo well darned and patched if they are all mended out of the large sum of £10. It's an extraordinary item. ... I do trust patriotic members of the Reform. Party will rise in their places and unanimously support an increased vote. Are we to "understand that the loyalty to the flag of the' Department of Education as controlled by the Beform Party is .equivalent to £1 sterling? I - confess to a feeling of uneasiness. The £10 is shown for New Zealand ensigns—plural. They must have been made in G-ermany to buy such a largo number so cheaply. Just imagine the quality of the ensigns you wouia get for 205." The Minister of Education (the Hon. K. A. Wright) was sure it was refreshing to hear Mr. Lee talk of the flag in the way he did. "What a wonderful change," commented Mr. Wright, .amidst laughter. "I am sure tho hon. members on tho Government side of the House will rejoice with me over this sinner who has repented. (Laughter.)

There was a time when the hon. gentleman would have made the welkin ring about £10 being on the Estimates for the Now Zealand flag." The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland): "Waß that when ho was fighting on Gallipoli that he would have taken that attitude?" Mr. Wright: "No, when he was in. this House. It is very refreshing to see. Now he says £10 is altogether a miserable amount." Mr. Lee: "Twenty shillings was spent." ... The Minister said that the sum was spent in postage. Mr. P. Praser (Wellington Central): "Are you going to accept the subsidy?" Mr. Wright explained that the Department imported a large number of flags some time ago, but it was very rarely that in any part of New Zealand people asked for a free flag. The people were only too ready to pay the cost price of the flags. "However," remarked Mr. Wright in conclusion, "I am very glad that the hon. gentleman. should look at the matter in a new/light. It promises lenewed hope for the future." (Laughter.)