OUR NATIONAL EMBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21935, 19 October 1934, Page 15

OUR NATIONAL EMBLEM

Sir, —As a New Zealander I do not think there is any doubt as to what flower should be chosen as our national flower —manuka, of course. If any of those interested should lie passing through Papakura, might I suggest that they stop and have a look at the manuka hedge planted (about two years ago) along the Great South Road boundary of the scenic reserve, and the beauty of it may help them to decide. W.A.P. Sir, —In ansVcr to "G.S.W." who proposes the gorse bloom as our national emblem, 1 would point out that it is not a native of New Zealand, but just another imported curse, the same as ragwort and blackberry. Why not have a sprig of the three —gorse, blackberry and ragwort? It is quite, evident that "G.S.W." is not. a struggling farmer who is striving to clear his place of weeds. As for gorse creating employment; it certainly does, but we could very well do without it and employ our time more profitably. I agree with a former correspondent, who said he would be very sorry if our national emblem was changed from the fern leaf. Buckland. !• Hart. Sir, —The suggestion of "G.S.W." that gorse be our suitable flower, if only for its characteristic tenacity, is commendable. But why not go further? What about the beautiful golden broom that visitors, in their ecstacy, rave so much about, and which, in its glory, now adorns the Taupo roadsides in numerous long vistas of delight? Not unlike gorse, this also is a vigorous fighter, having taxed the strength and patience of many, many settlers who, in their enthusiasm as vegetable gardeners, have yet to pride themselves on growing a decent-sized carrot where the broom flower prevails. Just allow a few broom seeds to get root under a pine tree and gorse, for all its conquering prowess is an also ran, for the pine tree will shiver and shrink. I back the golden broom* always. J.P.M.