THE UNION JACK.

Motueka Star, Volume IV, Issue 175, 24 April 1903, Page 4

THE UNION JACK.

Wanganui Herald.

A short but practical address oh the Union Jack was delivered by Bro. Captain Com man da nt Leroy at the 1.0G.T. Conference last week at Wanganui. He said that before 1606 the national flag of "England was the Cross of St. George—a red cross on a white ground ; that of Scotland was the

Cross of St. Andrew, a white diagonal cross on a blue ground ; and that of Ireland was the Cross of St. Patrick, a red diagonal cross on a white ground. In 1606, when England and Scotland joined, they decided they must have one national flag made out of their two national emblems. They appear to have made the Scottish flag the groundwork, but when they came to place the English flag upon it, it was evident that there was something more to be done, because heraldry said that scarlet and blue should not go together. Something must go between them. Therefore before the English flag was put upon the bine one they left round the borders of the red cross a narrow white band, and when they placed it on the Scottish flag, that is the flag it made (showing diagram). That was the Union flag of England and Scotland until 1801. -When in 1801 Ireland joined England and Scotland they decided they must put the Irish flag in also, make one flag out of the three. There was the white cross of St. Andrew right across the flag, and that was the way the red cross of Ireland was to go. What could they do ? They said, "We will take away half the white cross of St. Andrew'and put in its place half the red cross of St. Patrick." Here again the red would (oms in contact with the blue, so a mtrrow white band was put in between Then the question arose, who should have the half at the top of the flag, and who should take the underside half ? Someone suggested that as Scotland had joined England first Scotland had the prior right, therefore Scotland should take the top of the flag on the side next to the staff, but on the other end of the flag Ireland should take it. Then when they put the flag of Ireland on in this manner, this is the flag it made—the Union Jack of Great Britain and Ireland. Tl e broad white on top at the head of the flag is Scotland, the narrow white and red underneath is Ireland. At the tail of the flag the narrow white and red of Ireland is on top. and the hi-'-ad white of Scotland is beneath. When flown upside down the Union Jack is a signal of distress, though the Ensign is the flag commonly used forth at purpose.