Post by Kiwi Frontline on Nov 20, 2018 4:16:08 GMT 12
Northland Age 20/11/18
A SMALL BLUE
IF Burke (Same old, letters November 15) made a small blue when he referred to the 1834 flag as a "British mercantile flag"; it had only the authority of Ngapuhi chiefs.
The affairs of government were a bit of a mess back then. A number of ships had been built in New Zealand by British settlers, and were carrying goods to Australia for Maori timber merchants, including those chiefs.
These New Zealand-built ships were not entitled to a British register, as New Zealand was not a British colony, not a country with a central government and shipping registry, and thus they could not legally trade in British ports.
This problem had become important in 1833, when the 147-ton New Zealander was seized by New South Wales customs authorities. What was needed was a flag and a form of registration that could be recognised by British authorities. Maori were sovereign, but there was no national authority that could okay any such flag.
The British Representative, James Busby, found a temporary solution by calling a number of chiefs together to choose from amongst a number of flags, and recognising the choice as the official New Zealand ensign.
There was no United Tribes government then, or a year later, when Busby sent back to London a letter signed by a number those same chiefs. That letter did not announce the formation of a United Tribes government (which did not exist), despite the heading chosen by Busby — Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand. It was a statement of intent.
A call went out to the southern tribes to join a Confederation of the United Tribes, to meet annually to form a national law. This worthy effort failed; other tribes failed to join, and inter-tribal warfare continued.
These Ngapuhi chiefs were again prominent among those who welcomed and signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Only then did peace come to New Zealand.
We must not forget how Tamati Waka Nene and Patuone, James Busby and James Clendon, worked together to find solutions in those early years. That is the true message of the flag.
JOHN ROBINSON, Waikanae
Wanganui Chronicle 20/11/18
ROUSING CHALLENGE TO HAKA
On viewing the All Blacks v England game at Twickenham, I listened to the British rugby fans singing their hearts out to drown the All Blacks haka but was astonished to hear a NZ commentator question whether that was "respectful'?
In my opinion, and I accept that I maybe a minority in my thinking, I thought their song was rousing and a reciprocal challenge to the haka.
It is an anathema to me that any international team opposing the All Blacks has to remain mute and respectful in the face of what in my opinion is a violent, intimidating war dance.
I lived for sport in my youth and was always encouraged to try to win but also to understand that I was involved in a sporting game, not war.
MAUREEN J ANDERSON Tauranga
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
A SMALL BLUE
IF Burke (Same old, letters November 15) made a small blue when he referred to the 1834 flag as a "British mercantile flag"; it had only the authority of Ngapuhi chiefs.
The affairs of government were a bit of a mess back then. A number of ships had been built in New Zealand by British settlers, and were carrying goods to Australia for Maori timber merchants, including those chiefs.
These New Zealand-built ships were not entitled to a British register, as New Zealand was not a British colony, not a country with a central government and shipping registry, and thus they could not legally trade in British ports.
This problem had become important in 1833, when the 147-ton New Zealander was seized by New South Wales customs authorities. What was needed was a flag and a form of registration that could be recognised by British authorities. Maori were sovereign, but there was no national authority that could okay any such flag.
The British Representative, James Busby, found a temporary solution by calling a number of chiefs together to choose from amongst a number of flags, and recognising the choice as the official New Zealand ensign.
There was no United Tribes government then, or a year later, when Busby sent back to London a letter signed by a number those same chiefs. That letter did not announce the formation of a United Tribes government (which did not exist), despite the heading chosen by Busby — Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand. It was a statement of intent.
A call went out to the southern tribes to join a Confederation of the United Tribes, to meet annually to form a national law. This worthy effort failed; other tribes failed to join, and inter-tribal warfare continued.
These Ngapuhi chiefs were again prominent among those who welcomed and signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Only then did peace come to New Zealand.
We must not forget how Tamati Waka Nene and Patuone, James Busby and James Clendon, worked together to find solutions in those early years. That is the true message of the flag.
JOHN ROBINSON, Waikanae
Wanganui Chronicle 20/11/18
ROUSING CHALLENGE TO HAKA
On viewing the All Blacks v England game at Twickenham, I listened to the British rugby fans singing their hearts out to drown the All Blacks haka but was astonished to hear a NZ commentator question whether that was "respectful'?
In my opinion, and I accept that I maybe a minority in my thinking, I thought their song was rousing and a reciprocal challenge to the haka.
It is an anathema to me that any international team opposing the All Blacks has to remain mute and respectful in the face of what in my opinion is a violent, intimidating war dance.
I lived for sport in my youth and was always encouraged to try to win but also to understand that I was involved in a sporting game, not war.
MAUREEN J ANDERSON Tauranga
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers