Union Jack ban for Charles sign of desperation

"Attempts to ban the use of Union Jacks during Prince Charles tour of Aotearoa shows the British monarchy's desperation to not be seen as an irrelevant, foreign institution" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

The Department of Internal Affairs has sent an e-mail to organisers of events for Prince Charles' tour in November stating that there is to be "no use of Union Jacks or bunting."

"The department's clarification of this edict leaves no doubt what they're attempting to do - they say they want the visit to be about being a 'traditional Kiwi'. In that case they should make Charles don gumboots, a black singlet and maybe carry a bumble bee, just to make sure we get the point."

"Only the Queen has an official New Zealand title. Everyone knows the monarchy is a British institution. While legally the Crown is today the New Zealand Crown, symbolically and practically it's a British institution. That's why people put up Union Jacks and bunting when British Royals come here. The very fact Charles is visiting New Zealand goes to show the monarchy isn't ours" concluded Mr Holden.
ENDS

The Republican Movement is a network of New Zealanders who want our head of state to be elected by New Zealanders - either directly or indirectly.
We are committed to:
• involving all New Zealanders in the republic debate;
• providing relevant and reliable information;
• focusing on ideas, not personalities;
• winning a referendum to establish the republic;
Creating a republic does not require any change to the Treaty of Waitangi, flag or Commonwealth membership. For more information, see our website: www.republic.org.nz

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>