WRONG SALUTE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 148, 8 June 1936, Page 9

WRONG SALUTE

Point Jerningham “Defies” French Sloop EXPLANATIONS MADE By Telegraph—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 discomfiture to the commander, Captain Morris Robert, and difficulties for the New Zea. land military authorities. Instead of the French tricolour, the Union Jack was run up on the battery flagstaff when the sloop’s salute was answered. This 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 her white ensign and fired nine guns. The battery hoisted the British colours and replied with 21 guns. The correct procedure was to hoist the French flag and to reply with nine guns.

Captain Robert was nonplussed, and there was some talk on board of putting to sea again. Explanations w-ere made when they landed, and the matter was rectified by a special salute in the afternoon of the French flag and nine guns.

Major-General Sinelair-Burgess, General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Military Forces, said that the officer usually responsible for the firing of the salute was absent. While there was nothing in the regulations, the usual observance was to fly the flag of the nation being saluted. As Captain Roberts seemed perturbed by the Incident when he paid his official call Major-General 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 New Zealand’s friendly relations.