SECOND READING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19858, 4 June 1927, Page 7

SECOND READING

SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG BILL LABOUR VOTES WITH GOVERNMENT. (A.P.A.-Sun) CAPETOWN, June 2. After a seven days’ debate, the Flag Bill passed its second reading. Labour voting with the Government except one member. As a concession to the Opposition the Bill will go to a Select Committee consisting of the party leaders. The committee must report within a fortnight, as the Government is determined that the problem must be settled this session. .ANOTHER .ASPECT QUESTION OF DESIGN IMPORTANT SUGGESTED DISCUSSION BY NEXT IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. Received June 3, 74 p.m. (The Times) LONDON, June 2. Vice-Admiral Dumas, in a letter to the times apropos of the South African flag, says the design not only greatly interests South Africa, but every Dominion and colony in the Empire. Furthermore, the fact that the flag will be flown at sea necessitates that all the world should be able clearly to distinguish it at a distance of two miles. Therefore he suggests that consideration of the settlement should be deferred till the next meeting of the Dominions at the Imperial Conference, when everybody should have a say. Continuing, Admiral Dumas says: “I further make the suggestion, because from the seamen’s point of view the Australian, Canadian and many colonies’ flags would not fulfill these requirements. Nobody outside these countries could clearly recognise their almost microscopical designs. These great splendid Dominions and colonies in the course of time will possess navies and merchantmen, and it would be the greatest pity to settle on flags which represent them individually.”