THE UNION JACK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 70, Issue 91, 18 July 1944, Page 7

THE UNION JACK

POINTS APT TO BE FORGOTTEN

The origin of the Union Jack dates far back into history. In 1194 when Richard D. came back from the Crusades he introduced the cross of St. George as the battle flag of England,, the red cross on a white field. In '1003 James VI. of. Scotland became James I. of England and three years later the Scottish flag of St. Andrew, a blue field with a white diagonal cross was combined with the cross of St. George. This formed the Union Jack of the two nations, and it was under that Hag the Cabots, Hudson and Cook sailed over the uncharted seas and made their great discoveries and the foundations of the British Empire were laid in the cast and in the west.

The Act of Union with Ireland was passed in the re.ign of George lit. The cross of St. Patrick, a diagonal red cross on a white field, was added to the Union Jack and this new flag of the United Kingdom was flown for the first time on January 1 1801.

'The British flag has stood for international honour,, for national liberty, for individual freedom, for fellowship of men within the Empire,,, for freedom of worship, for maintenance of law and order under democratic institutions, and for a consideration under which every man and woman has a voice.

We value all for which, our flag stands, yet sometimes through lack of knowledge do not give it the courtesies which have, become traditional,, therefore the following points will bear repeating:

The broad white of St. Andrew's Cross should be uppermost next the staff. If reversed it is a sign of distress.

Never hoist the flag before sunrise and always lower it at sunset; this should be done by hand.

Never allow the flag at any time to trail or fall on the ground.

When hoisting the flag to halfmast it should first be run up the full height of the staff, then lowered to half-mast. When lowering it again it should be run up the full height of the staff, then lowered.

When showing respect to a foreign nation on any special occasion, always display the Union Jack with it but never place the one over the other on the same rope or halyard. This would be an act of discourtes3 r . Fly from separate staffs.

When troops are marching past and are carrying their colours uncased and flying to the breeze, all male British subjects should raise their hats.

If flags other than the Union Jack are carried by any marching organisations the Union Jack should be placed on the marching right of all others or in front.

When displaying flags in the body of a church the Union Jack is placed on a staff to the right of the congregation. If in the chancel or on the platform the Union Jack should be placed at the clergyman's right as he faces the congregation.

The flag should never be. used as a covering for a table, chair, lounge, balcony railing or in any position where anything can be placed upon

it. The one exception is an altar covering with only the Bible placed

upon it. When using the flag for decorative, purposes, other than on a staff, it should be displayed as though flying from left to right. Red, white and blue bunting or cloth should be used for draping rather than the flag. However, the flag may be used to form a central feature'by itself, but should not be placed lower than a person seated. In street decoration when the Union Jack and other flags are displayed together on a line stretched from one building to another, the Union Jack should fly to the north on streets running east and west, and to the east on streets running north and south. Never use the flag as parjt of. a costume.