FRENCH PRIDE HURT

Evening Star, Issue 22359, 8 June 1936, Page 13

FRENCH PRIDE HURT

SALUTE RETURNED WITH WRONG FLAG [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 7. The hoisting of the wrong flag at Point Jerningham when the warship Savorgnan de Brazza entered Wellington Harbour on Friday caused the discomfiture of the commander, Captain Morris Robert, and difficulties for the New Zealand military authorities. Instead of the French Tricolour, tho Union Jack was run up on the battery flagstaff when the sloop’s salute was answered. It was a breach of etiquette capable of being interpreted as a gesture, not of welcome, but of defiance. Off Point Jerningham the sloop broke out live white ensign and fired nine guns. The battery hoisted the British colours and replied with 21 guns, the correct procedure being to hoist tho French nag and reply with nine gnus. Captain Robert was nonplussed and there was some talk on board of 'putting to sea again. Explanations were made when the visitors landed, and the matter was rectified by a special salute in the afternoon, the French flag being hoisted and nine guns fired. General Sir William Sinclair Burges?, general officer commanding the New Zealand military forces, said the usual officer responsible for firing the salute was absent. While there was nothing in the regulations, the usual observance was to fly the flag of the nation that was being saluted. As Captain Robert teemed perturbed by the incident when he paid an official call, Sir William Sinclair Burgess ordered the firing of a second salute after he had returned the call in the afternoon. Its firing was accepted by the French as satisfactory evidence of Sew Zealand’s friendly relations.