NATIONAL, NOT ANGLICAN

Evening Star, Issue 21715, 9 May 1934, Page 8

NATIONAL, NOT ANGLICAN

FLAG CONSECRATION CEREMONIES A PRESBYTERIAN PROTEST [Put Umiiß Psesi Association.] , AUCKLAND, May 9. Exception has been taken by the Auckland Presbytery to tho manner of the consecration of colours and flag of the New Zealand branch of the “ Old Contemptibles’ ” Association last month, and also to the design of the windows for the war memorial shrine in the Museum. - At the meeting of the Presbytery last night F. W. Matthews said the flag was a national one, and the consecration ceremony should have been in the Town Hall. Their proper place was in the Hall of Memories in the War Memorial Museum, and not in St. Matthew’s Anglican Cliurch. “ The calm assumptions of our Anglican brethren seem to pass without efficient protest,” he said, “ and by our apparent acceptance of them wo seem to acquiesce.” Tho clerk, the Rev. A. M. Elliffe, referred to the report that in the design for windows for the war memorial shrine shields were shown representing the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. Referring to the consecration of the flag, the Rev. Lawson Marsh said, they ought all to have been more alive to the situation, but they must recognise that the thing had been done. Rev. I. E. Bertram; When things are done in a corner they should bo pulled out into the light. Mr Marsh moved that the Publio Questions Committee consider whether a private letter should not be addressed expressing regret at what had been done, and that the Presbyterian Church had not been represented. The memorial windows should also be considered. The Rev. W. J. Comrie said lie did not favour the letter being private. Mr Marsh withdrew the word “ private,” and the motion was carried.