SALUTING THE FLAG

Southland Times, Issue 24240, 25 September 1940, Page 3

SALUTING THE FLAG

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL FOR SATURDAY

An impressive ceremonial will mark the opening of the national fitness rally at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon. Promptly at 2.15 p.m. the massed bands will play the New Zealand Anthem, “God Defend New Zealand,” and the gigantic parade will march past. Major H. C. MacKenzie, area military officer, will command the parade, while the salute at the reviewing base will be taken by the officer commanding the regiment (Major C. E. Lees). After the march past the parade will form up in square formation on the ground. A short speech will be given by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. R. Martin) and in place of the usual Olympic oath, the following moving salute to the flag will be read: —

“Fellow countrymen, the King’s flag —the flag that flies over the British Empire—is the Union Jack, the flag under which no slave can breathe. It is the flag of liberty.

It’s red symbolizes Love and Devotion. It’s white symbolizes Purity and Education. It’s blue symbolizes Honour and Industry.

“Grand old Union Jack—fly to the breezes of every wind under Heaven, reminding us of what British citizenship means. What is implied in the salute to the flag? Worship, Honesty, Industry. Flag of the Empire, fly to victory.” Immediately after the salute to the flag, two verses of the National Anthem will be played by the massed bands and scores .of pigeons released —the Olympic symbol of supreme sport.