CHRISTCHURCH DREADNOUGHT MEETING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3219, 17 June 1909, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH DREADNOUGHT MEETING.

MISLEADING REPORTS

The uproarous meeting which was held in Christchurch in April last concerning the offer by New Zealand of two Dreadnoughts to Great Britain, recieved considerable attention abroad, particularly the incident relating to the re idlng of the Union Jack, concerning which there has been a good deal of misunderstanding. In America the leading papers made the most of the garbled cables which they receieved , and in several instances the accounts which appeared vere of tha most misleading nature. As an instance, the cabled reported published in the "New York Herald" may be quoted. The reader's attention is attracted to it by four headings printed in big black letters, as follows:—"Flag riots over Dreadnoughts; New Zealanders tear [down the Union Jack shred it and trample it under foot; oppose battleship gifts; declare offer of Government to present Great Britain with two vessels is unconstitutional." Then follows the cabled report, in which the Sydney correspondents of the paper states: "Public meetings of protest are being held throughout New Zealand condemning the Government's offer to build two new Dreadnoughts for Great Britain as unconstitutional. Extraordinary scenes took place at Christchurch, where a meeting of the Navy League in support of the Government's action degenerated into pandemonium. I'he speakers, including both Roman Catholic and Anglican bishops, were howled down. The rioters rushed the police and seized the Union Jack, which they tore into shreds and trod under foot. Many free-fights that ensued were terminated only when the lights were all extinguished.'' The truth ;s that one man in an excess of patriotic zeal made a rush for the Union Jack in order to wave it aioft, arid others, mistaking his intention, proceeded to take it from him, with the result that the flag was torn to pieces.