15 APRIL 1916, Page 15

THE UNION FLAG.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—In this far-off corner of the Empire there is a good deal of per- plexity in regard to the correct flag to fly on land. There is the New Zealand flag—the Blue Ensign with four stars of the Southern Cross— and that, of course, is correctly flown anywhere in this Dominion. But it is merely a local flag, and there are many occasions when there is need of a flag which every Briton would recognize as the flag of the Empire. Am I correct in saying that this is the Union Flag—i.e., the flag on which the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick extend from side to side and corner to corner of the bunting ? Is it not a fact that the Ensigns—White, Blue, and Red—are essentially sea flags ? I shall be very grateful if you will give information on the point, and it is a matter of interest to many here besides myself.—I am, Sir, &c.,

NEW ZEALANDER.

[The Union Flag is the flag of the Empire--the flag which every subject of the King has a right to fly on land. This, then, is the flag to be flown on all Imperial occasions.—En. Spectator.]