14 August 2015

RSA plans to keep flag flying through referendum

RSA National President BJ Clark says the RSA will continue to campaign to keep the current New Zealand flag through the two-referendum process confirmed by Parliament yesterday.

“The RSA and many other New Zealanders told a Parliamentary select committee the two-referendum process was flawed.

“However Parliament has now passed the legislation that sets up the two-referendum process, and so we will play our part in that process.

“We encourage New Zealanders to exercise their democratic right by participating in both referenda. In the first referendum, when they will be offered a choice between four flag design options, we urge them to choose the fifth option – write on the ballot paper ‘I vote for the current flag’.

“These ‘informal’ votes are also counted.

“The second referendum is the most important, because this is the vote whether to keep or change the flag.

“People who want to show their support for the current flag in advance of the vote can fly the flag – whether that’s on a flagpole, on social media, or through a RSA flag bumper sticker.”

Mr Clark says the RSA is having to raise funds to fight for the flag. “Our current funds are committed to supporting current and former service men and women and their families.”

New Zealanders can contribute by buying a bumper sticker from their local RSA, or by making a donation on the RSA’s Givealittle page: www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/rsafightingforourflag.

People can also join the fight by following the RSA on Facebook: www.facebook/RSANational and Twitter @RSANational.

ENDS

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