Letter to the Editor, Tuesday November 24, 2015

Chance to choose

The great moment has arrived: A chance to choose a new flag.

This in itself is not a shattering moment, but as part of a symbolic change it is deep and it is important.

This is an acknowledgement that we have evolved from a British outpost to being a multi-cultural Southern Hemisphere country with our Maori bi-lingual and bi-cultural heritage acknowledged.

Many people feel it is time to call the country primarily Aotearoa. Anyone who has been to Zeeland would agree and apparently Abel Tasman never set foot on our land.

Likewise it is time for a constitution that combines the Treaty of Waitangi and the UN declaration of human rights.

The replacement of the Queen or Governor General is more interesting because a President with real executive power is a horrifying idea.

Maybe a ceremonial president appointed by the Government of the day, just as the current Governor General is appointed, will work just as the the current system does. 'President' has dangerous connotations though.

The flag change is a mind change where we no longer charge up hills in Turkey or mud slopes in France or mountain monasteries in Italy or defend Greek Islands with no air cover under incompetent British command.

We have become our own people in charge of our own exciting destiny. So bring on the change and thank you Britain for all the good things you gave us.

FRANK EDWARDS

Russell