THE FLYING OF FLAGS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1904, 19 November 1918, Page 3

THE FLYING OF FLAGS.

Y ARNING TO CITIZENS. In these times of patriotic demonstrations citizens have occasionally flown flags that they are.not entitled to use. No doubt they have been actuated by the best of intentions, but through ignorance they have committed a breach of the regulations concerning the use of the Royal Standard and several Ensigns that might cause them trouble. AYe» are informed by Colonel Hume, Officer Commanding the Wellington Military District, that there are three flags that are not permitted to be hoisted and flown by citizens, although they may be used in certain decoration schemes. The first of these is the Royal Standard, which may only he flown in I he presence of a member of the Royal Family. The White Ensign is exclusively the Royal Naval flag, and cannot he hoisted and flown by anyone on shore except in Royal naval barracks, arsenals, and coastguard stations. The oilier (lag is the Blue Ensign, which is the (lag of the Royal Naval Reserve, and is down by siiips which are commanded by an officer of the Royal Naval Reserve, provided lie has a sufficient number of his crew (based on a percentage basis) who are members of the Reserve. Anyone on shore may fly the Union Jack anywhere; it is (he national flag of Great Britain, and may bo used at all times, except that it may not be flown by vessels at sea with the exception of His Majesty’s warships. People who have been lo the expense of obtaining a White Ensign may make it usable by having two or three stars sewn on the white portion of the (lag.