INDIGNITY TO THE BRITISH FLAG.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4459, 5 July 1875, Page 5

INDIGNITY TO THE BRITISH FLAG.

(From the S. A. Register.) During the px-oceedings of the Adelaide City Coxxnoil on the 25th Jxxne, a lengthy and animated discussion took place relative to Mr. A. O. Chambers's oondxxct in displaying the United States stars axxd stxipes above or in front of the Union Jack upon a pole affixed to the balcony of the Town Hall, on the occasion of a Good Templar demonstration to welcome Mr. Hastings. A vote of ceusxxre, which was, as a Councillor remarked, sufficiently “hot and strong,” if indeed it was not a good deal too much so, was cordially supported by all the members, and the Corporation showed a fixed determination to preserve from indignity the flag that has “ braved a thousand year's the battle and the bi'eeze.” In this we commend their spirit, and consider that Mr. Chambers, in reference to what occurred, decidedly owes that apology to his fellowcolonists which he tenders in an explanatory letter published eleswhere. Probably the citizens generally will consider it unfortunate that no patriotic Councillor chanced to see the obnoxious piece of,bunting jxxst at the right moment, as the sight of an irate guardian of the people’s lights tearing the American flag to ribbons, or incontinently pulling it down and burxxing it on the spot, would have been an impressive spectacle. It was decided that Mr. Chamber's be not allowed access in future to the balcony, and the porter was specially instructed to hold himself responsible for the use of the flags on all similar occasions. The Councillors ax-e quite light to protest against what took place, and to give ox-flex's to their officer to see that such matter's are ordex'ed decently in future, but it would have.beeu well if they had infused a little more digxxity ixxto their proceedings. The discussion reads more like a burlesque than a grave debate, and the determination to exclude the offender from the balcony is very potty.