Western Star (Corner Brook, N.L.), 1915-06-30

              The Western Star Vol. 16 An independent newspaper devoted to the development and prosperity of Newfoundland Curling, Bay of Islands, Newfoundland, Wednesday, June 30, 1915 - Representing the local interest of the West Coast of the Island  No. 13 THE UNION JAGK ITS ORIGIN AND PROPER USE (F. Ruel.) As at this time flags are being more universally displayed than ever before in the history of the-J3mpire, a few points on the proper flags to use and when to fly them may not be amiss. ** For my information I am indebted to Lieut.-Col. E. T. Sturdee, of St. John, N. 8., a cousin of Admiral Sturdee of Falkland Islands fame, author a booklet "The story and origin of the Union Jack," and who is looked upon as one of the leading authorities on flags in Canada. St. George*a Cross St. George was born about 270 in Lydda, in Palestine, in the vale of Sharon, celebrated for its roses ; and so the rose is national flower of England, and always associated with St. George. He was put to death as a martyr April 23rd, 303 ; this day is known as St. George's Day, and has been so kept for hundreds of years. In 1190, when Richard I. of England joined in the crusades to the Holy Land his ships won in a fierce fight with the Saracenes near Beyrout, at a spot called St. George's Bay, so named from the fact that it was near this that St. George's famous fight with the dragon took place. It was reported that King Richard had seen a vision of St. George and his red cross banner the night before the battle, and on his return to England in n 94 he adopted the St. George's cross as the emblem and flag of England, and placed his army and nation under the protection of St. George. Fiom that date this cross—red on white ground— became the national flag of Engand was the ground work from which the present Union Jack, or Great Union, has been built up. St. Andrew's Cross. St. Andrew is supposed to have been the first to introduce Christianity into Scotland, and for that reason from very early times he has been known as the patron saint of that country, and his anniversary is kept by the Scotch on the 30th November. Another tradition is that in 987, the Scots being attackby the English under Athelstane, there appeared in the sky the night before the battle the cross of St. Andrew formed io the white clouds against the dar blue sky ; and animated by this sign the Scots the next day defeated the English, whose king was slain. Since then the Cross of St. Andrew has been adopted by the Scotch as their national flag. St. Andrew's cross is a saltire or diagonal cross, white on a dark blue ground, and the origin is said to be from the fact that St. Andrew considered himself unworthy to be crucified on a cross of the same shape as our Saviour's, and so chose one of an X shape on which he buffered martyrdom. Union Jack of James I. The first attempt of combining the two crosses on one flag was made after James VI. of Scotland became James I. of England. In 1606 King James authorized a new flag to be borne in the maintop of all ships, "The* Red Crosse, commonty called St. George's Crosse, and the White Crosse, commonly called St. Andrew's Crosse, joined together according to the forme made by our Heralds," and this flag was known as the " Union Flagge" or Jack. The origin of the flag called Jack cannot be clearly accounted for. It has been stated that the above proclamation was the origin on account of the King using the French name of J" Jacques" abbreviated as " Jac," and the new flag was called the Jack of James I. ; but as flags had previously been called Jacks, it seems probable that as the respective crosses of each nation were borne on the coats or Jacques of the soldiers, the latter word meaning in heraldry the plain surface or oute dresses on which an armorial device is borne, that thus the flag came to be called Jack, though the proper name then for the flag was the Union Flag, and later on the Great Union. The flag of James I. showed only a fimbriation of white to the red of St. George's cross, but in 1707, in the reign of Queen Anne, the flag was made with broad white outside the English red cross, which was thus restored to its proper position as a red cross on a white field. This flag continued to be used for nearly one hundred years until Ireland came into the Union in 1801. St. Patrick's Cross. St. Patrick from very early times has been the patron saint of Ireland ; born in Scotland near the close of the fourth century ; one account states that he went as a young man with his parents to Ireland and devoted himself to teaching the Irish Christianity, and labored much among the people, suffering much and being often persecuted ; another account states that he was taken prisoner by pirates when a child and sold into Ireland as a serf, but escaping later he went to the continent, there embracing Christianity, and returned to evangelize the Irish. Finally was made a bishop, and his labors in Ireland extended over forty years ; certain it is that he did a great deal for the Irish and is as much revered as their saint by them as St. George by the English or St. Andrew by the Scotch. St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, is always specially celebrated by the Irish. The origin of St. Patrick's Cross or the Irish Jack is very obscure, but it is quite certain that the Irish cross was in some way connected with St. Patrick ; there is a tradition that he suffeied martyrdom on a cross the same shape as St. Andrew's. St. Patrick's cross is the same shape (saltire) as St. Andrew's, but a red cross on a white field. When in 1801 Ireland was admitted to the Union, it became necessary that that country should be represented on the national flag, and as this bore already the crosses of England and Scotland, it was decided to add the Irish cross, combining the three crosses on one flag. By proclamation of King George 111., of January 1, 1801, this was done, though not without the greatest difficulty by the Herald's Office, owing to both St. Andrew's and St. Patrick's being saltires, and the necessity of giving to .each an equal share of the flag. This was finally accomplished most satisfactorily, the broad white of St. .Andrew, Scotland, being the senior of the two, being placed on top in the first and third cantons, or those nearest the staff, while in the second and fourth cantons these positions are reversed. Each cross has been preserved intact and rests upon its own proper ground or field, the white St. Andrew's on a blue field and the red St. George's and St. Patrick's on white grounds, the whole forming a most beautiful combination and one of the handsomest flags that has ever floated to the breeze. Further .symbols may be taken from the heraldic meaning of the colours, namely red for courage, white for purity, and blue for truth. Thus each combination was carefully thought out in our flag and explicit instructions given for the different proportions, which have never been changed, first bear in mind that the length of the flag should be double its width : Red cross of 1-5 of width of flag. White border to St. George, 1-3 of red of St. George. Red cross of St. Patrick, 1-3 of red of St. George. White border to St. Patrick, 1-6 of red of St. George. Broad white of 3t. Andrew, 1-2 of red of St. George. A correct flag shows the broad white of St. Andrew in the first and third quarters uppermost a&d i below the red in the other quarters; if this is not so, then the flag has either been made wrong or placed wrong end to the staff or pole ; in fact this is very often seen in the cheap flags used for decoration. Another error often- seen is the drawing of a so called Union Jack of simply two red crosses with a very narrow margin of white, or perhaps none at all^his is not a recognized flag, does not mean anything, and Is an insult to the national flag, (Concluded in next tame.) could not expect great companies to establish here. Grand Falls and Bell Island were the only two we had succeeded with yet. Then the Opposition claimed that the exemption from taxation would extend to all kinds of business. That was not so; the whole agreement referred to the fertilizer enterprises. But to satisfy anyone who bad any doubts, he would add words to the resolutions which would make the point absolutely clear. As to the freedom from duty on importation of construction material, that had been given to every big concern; and practically all such mateiial for any business was admitted free to-day. Every bag of concrete, and every machine meant labor and wages, and it would* pay us to let it all in free. Then we were told that the Company could sell all its rights tomorrow. So could all the other large companies in Newfoundland, and which of them would set up a business they were forever prevented from selling. The Opposition bad said we were giving away the Hamilton River Falls in ijabradbr for nothing. That was completely untrue. They had to spend ten million dollars in Labrador within five years before they could get those waterpowers, and was it likely, after spending that sum, that they  go away and leave it. What use was it to talk of the value of these lands and water-powers, when they were not worth a dollar to us today ? We could not develop them; we must offer concessions to attract capitalists. We could not expect to get $18,000,000 and give nothing.As to the uproar that had been created about interference with rights of other parties in the North Coast area, he had assured the parties interested that there was no intention to let their rights be interfered with, and to show their good faith, the Government were quite willing to remove that section entirely from the agreement, in order to set at rest the fears of other industries. But there was no ground for such fears. It had also been said that even if the agreement with the Corporation ended in a default on their part, and became void, they would still hold the grants made to them. That again was not correct, but to put it beyond all .shadow of question, he would alter the wording to satisfy them. Mr. Lloyd had said a great deal about the value of the water-powers we were giving away, comparing them with those in Ontario. But a water power in Ontario was a very much more valuable thing than a water-power far away in uninhabited Labrador. We were told that the only effect this business would have would be to take fishermen from the fishery. That was nonsense. It the fishery was more profitable they would stick to it; if the new industry was more profitable they would go into it, and so much the better for them; they would - have their choice. . And perhaps it would help to bring Newfoundlanders back and keep them in their own country. We were told that this Company was likely to make millions of profit a year. Nothing could be more desirable, for they could not spend or make those millions without sharing them with us. The Committee rose at 6.30 until 8 p.m. Monday, May ioth, 1915. The House met at 3 p.m., pursuant to adjournment. Petitions were presented by Mr. Jennings, Mr. Stone, Mr. Grimes and Mr. Halfyard. Various questions were asked and answered. The Hospital Bill was read a third time and sent Legislative Council. • The House went into Committee of the Whole on the Newfoundland Products Corporation Resolutions. Mr. Morine said that in opposing this contract- he was not animated by any dislike to the Reid- Nfld. Company, nor was he influenced by anything paid by the Anglo-Nfld. Development Co., who were not opposed to the contract, so long as their own lights were not interfered with. As regards the argument that freedom from taxation in certain respects had been granted to the Reid-Nfidt Co. in* 1898, in that case the Company was actually taking over one of our public services, and it was reasonable to exempt it from taxation." In this case the Company were going to carry on a private business for their own benefit, which was quite a different thing. He considered that the Government should have taken independent legal advice in relation tathe contract which was very badly drawn. D He doubted t£e desirability of taking men away from the fisheries; their work would not be as valuable to the Colony if they were working in4he Carbide Mills. - It ought to borne in mind in in dealing with exemption from duty on the idlport of machinery and Other things, that we had to look a long way ahead, in the future industries might grow up around this large enterprise, and these we might wish to protect; but we could not if it was free to import without duty. And as to municipal taxation, if the company could not afford to pay a little local taxation, what good would it be to the Colony ? We were told it had tremendous prospects of profit. Why should it go free while others paid ? He quite agreed with letting it. go free for SIX MONTHS AND $10,000 FOR TRADING WITH ENEMY London, June 21—Sentenced of six months' imprisonment for each and fines of $10,000 were imposed in the Court of Justiciary of Edinburgh Friday on Robert Hetherington and Henry Arnold Wilson, members of the firm of William Jacks & Company, iron merchants, of Glasgow, for trading with the enemy. EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS IN MEXICO 15 Persons Killed Los Angeles, Cal., June 23 - Reports of three severe earthquake shocks, which resulted in the death and injury of at least 15 persons and considerable property loss by fire, last night, in several cities of the Imperial Valley, covering several hundred square miles, were .received here to-day. Telephone and telegraph communication were interrupted and information from the stricken district is meagre. The greatest damage was at Calexico, on the Mexico border line, where the loss of life occurred. House of Assembly SYNOPSIS Monday, May 3, 1915. (Continued.) The Premier recognized that the criticisms of the Opposition were inspired by a desire to safeguard the interests of the colony. He could not, however, agree with all they had said. It had been said that the rights of various persons in the Humber River #onld be seriously affected ; but he pointed out the special proviso in clause one, specially reserving all existing rights of other parties. Then, again, much had been made of the exemptions from taxation of the Corporation. But the Opposition forget to state that the same had been done for other companies in the past, such as the Harmsworth and A. E. Reed Companies. To the Harmsworth contract Mr. Morine himself had proposed 22 amendments, all of which were voted -down, not because they were not good, but because the company would not come if they were inserted. The Government had been a whole year bargaining with the company over this contract before they got it down to what it was at present. Companies would not come into a small country if they were open to have their great enterprises taxed out of existence at the will of any municipality. Even The Reid Nfld. Co. had been giyen exemptions from taxation by the Pond Government fifteen years ago. If we assessed our natural resources at too high a price, we (Continued on page 4.; BANK of MONTREAL. ESTABLISHED 1817. Capital $16,000,000. Rest $16,000,000 Bankers for the Government of Newfoundland. Bankers and Financial Agents for the Government of the dominion o' Canada. WEST COAST BRANCH: Curling Bay of Islands, Nfld. 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