HONOURING THE FLAG

Southland Times, Issue 24593, 15 November 1941, Page 8

HONOURING THE FLAG

CEREMONIES TO BE HELD IN SCHOOLS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 14. Patriotic observance by schools of days having national significance is provided for in regulations gazetted yesterday. The regulations state that the ceremony of honouring the flag is to be observed at all public schools in commemoration of the following days: February 6, the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi; April 25, Anzac Day; May 24, Empire Day; the first Monday in June, the day fixed for the observance of the birthday of the King; the fourth Monday in September, the day fixed for the observance of Dominion Day; October 21, Trafalgar Day; November 11, Armistice Day. If any of these days are not school days, the ceremony is to be observed on the last preceding school day. An explanation of the regulations was given by the Minister for Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason), in an interview. He said that the purpose, of them was to tend to awaken a spirit of patriotism in children, together with a proper regard for our national institutions, and pride in the nation’s heroes in peace and war. The necessity for the regulations arose from the fact that some education boards had bylaws providing for the saluting of the flag, and that these were held to be ultra vires and ineffective. The regulations would take their place, and put the matter beyond doubt. Mr Mason said detailed directions, would be circulated to schools. The intention was to make the ceremony brief but impressive, and though the directions would be precise, there would be reasonable elasticity to allow for all circumstances. For example, reference might be made to old boys of the schol, or to others whose heroism ought specially to be remembered. “It is believed,” said the Minister, “that the ceremony will be conducive to a feeling of pride in our country and its democratic institutions, and of thankfulness to the men and women of time past to whose struggles we owe them.”