FLAG ETIQUETTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25289, 24 August 1945, Page 8

FLAG ETIQUETTE

BREACHES IN CITY

THE SERVICE TRADITIONS The generous display of . bunting by Auckland business firms during the victory celebrations has resulted in many unintentional breaches of the etiquette of ilag flying, lapses which will readily be condoned by the majority 011 the grounds that the end justified the means. The question has been raised by a Herald reader whether any penalty has been incurred under a forgotten statute for the hoisting of flags upside down or leaving them fluttering at the standards throughout the night. The ordinance which demands the striking of flags at sunset is of comparatively recent origin, being contained in an order in council directed to the Navy in 1861. This directive reads: "His Majesty's ships, when at anchor in home ports or roads, shall hoist their colours at 8 o'clock in the morning, from March 25 to September 20 inclusive, and at 9 o'clock from September 21 to March 24 inclusive, but when abroad at 8 or 9 o'clock as the commander shall direct, and they shall be kept flying, if the weather permit or the senior officer present sees no objection thereto, throughout the day until sunset, when they are to be hauled down." Strict Naval Ceremonial Upon naval vessels strict ceremonial has become attached to the raising or striking of the flag, all hands being mustered on deck and standing to the salute as the band plays the opening bars of the national anthem, the man at the halliards timing his pull so that the ensign reaches the truek or the deck at the last note of the band. In the Army and Air Force the notes of the bugle playing Reveille or Retreat take the place of the national anthem, but the necessity remains for all those who are out of doors in barracks or station to stand to attention and salute the (lag. Outside the services, however, there seems to lie no regulation enjoining that flags displayed on public buildings should be struck at sunset. The only place in the Empire where the Union Jack flies day and night with official sanction is over the Residency at Lueknow, in commemoration of its gallant defence during the Indian Mutiny. Penalties Under an Old Law The symbolism of flags is as involved and as instructive to the initiated as are heraldic devices, and it seems doubtful that any layman who lias ever flown a flag lias escaped unconscious breaches of etiquette. Churches, for example, are entitled to display only the Cross of St. George, the flying of the three ensigns is the cherished prerogative of three services, while the sight of the Royal Standard is an indication to those who understand the language of flags that some member of the Roval Household is present in the building concerned. The penalties for the dieplaving of improper colours are severe. Under the Merchant Shipping Act of 1854 the master or owner ot a vessel or any person assisting in the offence may incur a line of £SOO, to say nothing of the confiscation of the flag concerned by any naval officer who may witness the breach. CENTRAL MILK DEPOT (0.C.) HAMILTON, Thursday A request by the Hamilton Milk Vendors' Association for consideration to he given to the construction of a central milk depot in Hamilton was made to the Hamilton Borough Council last evening. The secretary of the association, Mr T. M. Hutchesson, said the position at present was not entirely satisfactory. Some vendors had to* travel 28 miles to collect their milk and had to call at two or three farms for supply. The matter was referred to the milk committee, which was also asked to consider the possibility of discontinuing the zoning of milk deliveries. COLLEGE OF SURGEONS d I .A.) DUNEDIN, Thursday At the opening of the annual conference ol the New Zealand section of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Dunedin today the chairman o? the section. Mr F. Gordon Bell, who is also a vice-president of the college, said the attendance of more than 50 members front all parts of the Dominion was testimony to the_ useful function which the college exercised and to the desire of fellows to further their knowledge by observation and discussion. The business of the conference today included operations, papers on the u.se of penicillin in civil and war surgery, and a symposium on a relatively new disease of the spine and spinal nerves. In the evening, the board of censors met to examine five candidates for admission to fellowship.