Allan Anderson: Flag not a sporting symbol

GREAT DEBATE: Is the flag debate an opportunity or a campaign?

THE GREAT national flag debate was initially described as "an opportunity of a lifetime for New Zealanders to choose who we are in the world".

It was called "choice" - there would be a referendum (indeed, two referenda), and there would be informed debate so that people could freely make up their own minds. Really?

No doubt there are many who question the appropriateness of the process and are adamant that not only has the process been flawed, but that what was touted as a debate has become an unashamed campaign to abolish one of New Zealand's longest tangible expressions of our identity - our flag.

The arguments of cost, use of STV to select the "alternative" flag, emotive and vague terms such as "who we are in the world" have been well aired.

What really concerns me is the course the debate has taken and have the basic issues been discussed in a balanced way.

First, what does a nation's flag represent? It is not a sporting symbol; it is not the result of an art competition; and it is most certainly not a souvenir tea-towel for sale in gift shops. Most nations' flags are expressions of their country's genesis and its path to nationhood.

But most of the advocates for change base their case on an "anti" theme, such as "our flag is too close to that of Australia's".

Well, I think that, apart from in the sporting arena, the relationship between New Zealand and Australia is the closest and most unique of any countries in the world and that bond is well expressed in the similarity - not sameness - of our two flags. Perhaps our schools could teach that unique bond.

Has the campaign for change been objective? I think not. A certain popular tabloid TV programme last week, in addition to openly displaying just one flag, had as its guest one Peter Fitzsimons who heads the Australian republican movement.

A former Wallaby, a brilliant journalist and military historian, Fitzsimons never conceals his total contempt and opposition to the monarchy, the Union Jack and anything British. Mainstream media objectivity? I think not.

Then there is the enlisting of sporting celebrities. There is no greater admirer of these people than myself - but for their sporting prowess and role model status. Their opinions are no more valid than those of anyone on the street, yet they possess an influence greater than you or I. This referendum vote is not a popularity contest.

It is a time-honoured truth that in order to move with confidence into the future we need to be mindful and respectful of where we have come from, a truth so eloquently expressed in this poem.

Our Flag

Our flag bears the stars that blaze in the night,

In our southern sky of blue,

And our little old flag in the corner,

That's part of our heritage, too.

It's for the English, the Scots and the Irish

Who were sent to the ends of the earth,

The rogues and the schemers, the doers and dreamers,

Who gave modern New Zealand its birth,

And you who are shouting to change it,

You don't seem to understand,

It's the flag of our law and our language,

Not the flag of a faraway land,

Though there are plenty of people who'll tell you,

When Europe was plunged into night,

That little old flag in the corner,

Was their symbol of freedom and light,

It doesn't mean we owe allegiance,

To a faded imperial dream,

We've the stars to show where we're going,

And the old flag to show where we've been.

- By Robin Northover, used by permission

Allan Anderson is a Whanganui District Health Board member, a former district councillor, and won the national environment award in last year's Pride of New Zealand awards