UNDER TWO FLAGS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1358, 8 February 1912, Page 5

UNDER TWO FLAGS.

S THE LION AND THE KANGAROO. The recent inspection by tho GovernorGoneral' of the parade of the Australian Coronation Cadet Contingent was intoresting because of one fact that did not attract general notice, an alteration in tho saluting of the flag. Ever since the Union .Tack lms been the national flag of tho British Empire it has been customary at functions of this kind for tho emblem to bo "broken out" at tho top of the flagstaff upon the arrival of the officer or notability taking the salute. Some timo ago an order was sent out from tho Commonwealth military 'headquarters giving instruction that on all occasions upon which the Union .Tack would, in the ordinary course, be used as a saluting flag, tlie Australian flag,should take its place. This order was taken exception to by certain Imperial officers, and for a while (states the "Sun") it was rumoured that there would be an open revolt and disregard of the military order. The cadets' parade was the first timo on record that the order came into actual force, and all those interested in matters of. military etiquette eagerly awaited the result. But when they arrived at tho parado ground their hope? of trouble wero dashed. Two flagstaff* hail been erected at the saluting base, one, ii short one in the foreground, with the Australian flag at the top, and the other with the Union Jack. When the Governor-General arrived the Union Jack was "broken out," and wlion tho District Commandant, Brigadier-Gmcral Gordon, strode on to I lie ground tho Australian flag fluttered to the breeze. It was noticed that Lord Dcmium took the salute while standing under tho Australian colours, and it i= to be presumed that he, as an Imperial officer, tacitly recognised tho order eivon in Australia. But that more will Vx> heard of tho matter there can bo ivo doubt.