DESECRATION OF THE FLAG

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4307, 16 March 1901, Page 2

DESECRATION OF THE FLAG

The phase of patriotism so strongly in evidence of late is often a sadly unreasoning passion. Day by day custom demands more and more that the patriot must shout and make a noise, or live under the imputation of . disloyalty. With such a tendency to credit only the duly advertised sentiment, it is not surprising that the national flag has been, and is being, put to strange commercial uses. The distorted conception of patriotism which can countenance the clothing of lap dogs with Union Jacks, and the honouring of generals by plastering their portraits round crockery of all descriptions, can see nothing amiss in using the fly of the national ensign for advertising purposes. The desecration of the flag in this manner is a matter of everyday occurrence, and public opinion in this colony has so far not .judged it reprehensible. That it will bo considered so in the highest degree when the flush of noisy patriotism has subsided there is no reason to doubt. It is a particularly humiliating spectacle to all who cun divorce vulgar gain from the finer feelings to sec the national flag prostituted to all manner of business purposes. The people of the United State aro already protesting, and have commenced an agitation demanding a law to protect their-flag ‘‘from civil and commercial desecration.” At present the Stars and Stripes are in the same equivocal position as the numerous national flags used in this colony; they can bo used by any advertiser or put to any purpose of decoration or personal adornment that eccentric persons may fancy. Surely this is. a position that might reasonably be mot by legislation, which would make it an offence to debase and bring to ridicule a national emblem which hitherto has been held in honour.