“THE RED FLAG”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26770, 13 May 1948, Page 2

“THE RED FLAG”

Sir, —I have been much amused at the abandonment of the “ Red Flag ” as a song of dedication to the aims of Labour. Perhaps the verse It suits to-day the weak and base, Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place,

To cringe before the rich man’s frown, And haul the sacred emblem down, pricks the conscience of many of the oldtimers.

However, I notice the reason is erythrophobia, an abhorrence of things red—the song had no particular significance. Now I must also inform another correspondent who, in a little doggerel, advised them to send the song back to Russia, that he may rest easy on that score, as it did not come from there.

The " Red Flag ” was written by Jim Connell, born 1852, County Meath, Ireland, draper, Socialist lecturer, and journalist. He was a fine-looking man who often came to lecture in my home town. He was a Catholic, and of the same nationality and persuasion as the “ uncrowned king of New Zealand.” However, " God Defend New Zealand,” or “ God Save the People,” by Ebenezer Elliot, the Chartist, may be more respectable; the Church now sings the latter, and yet the Chartist song was as obnoxious in its day as the Red Flag in this. Thus do we progress by retrogression.—l am, etc.,

Three Cheers for the , White, and Blue.