SALUTING THE FLAG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18204, 25 September 1922, Page 9

SALUTING THE FLAG.

. PROVISION OF BUNTING., COMMITTEE'S -DILEMMA. The krovurnment's decision to encourage patriotism in public schools has one peculiar side. This was ventilated at a meeting of the Wellington .Education Hqard, When-tJje Newtown School Committee inquired: "How a school is able to carry out the, regulations re saluting the colours if a flag is-not'provided Y ' Uur: school is as loyal as any in the Dominion, and we have no desire that it should be otherwise,'' said the committee's letter. " Our one flag, supplied originally by the department, has had to suffice for 4,hree schools'(boys, girls and-infants). It had weathered many storms, bjit had at last become io won! that we can iiy it no longer. It is not always possible to earry out to programme the • ceremony in front of the Gagstaff, owing to the fickleness of . the weather, and for this reason we. desire to place one flic in the girls' school and the other m the main v school. Such an arrangement will save wear, and will permit the ceremony being carried out ia any weathe.\ If the dcoartment and the* board refuse to give us these flags, the responsibility of breaking the regulations will rest with them. We are quite unable to see our way clear to pay £2- 10s for them, as our capitation gra ; nt Is even now insufficient tor our ordinary maintenance expenses." . „ It was decided by the board 'that the committee should be informed that if it j would raise half the cost, the board would provide the balance of the purchase money for the hagfc.