UNITED NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 217, 9 June 1943, Page 4

UNITED NATIONS

Observance Of Flag Day In Dominion

United Nations Flag Day, which was celebrated for the first time last year, will be observed again this year in New Zealand on June 14. The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, said that Flag Day was the day on which the American people were accustomed to honour their Flag as the emblem of their freedom, strength and unity. This year the American people had once more been invited by President Roosevelt to honour also the flags of those States who signed the United Nations Declaration of January 1, 1942. The United Kingdom Government, said Mr. Fraser, had announced that it, also, was desirous of arranging a similar tribute to the flags of all those valiant peoples who were fighting with them in the cause of freedom, and suitable arrangements were being made for ceremonies for this purpose to be held on June 14 throughout the United Kingdom and in other portions of the British Commonwealth. In honouring the day in New Zealand the flags of the Uniled Nations would be flown on all public buildings throughout the Dominion, ami appropriate ceremonies would be arranged in collaboration with local authorities.

Parades of the armed services and the Merchant Navy will again be arranged where practicable, and the Prime Minister rnjuested that local .authorities throughout New Zealand make contact with the service authorities in their district during this week to ascertain whether such parades are being held. Where it is not feasible for parades of the armed services and the Merchant Navy to be held, he suggested that local authorities or groups of them arrange ceremonies in eoniuexion with the flying of flags that are considered both appropriate and practicable, and that at all public meetings or other functions set down to be held on Monday, appropriate mention be made of United Nations Flag Day. “I feel sure,” said the Prime Minister, “that the people of New Zealand will again enthusiastically welcome this opportunity of paying tribute to all our gallant allies in this great struggle for world freedom.”