We are approaching the time where we are being asked to vote in a referendum
for our preference for the New Zealand ensign.
The voting comes down to a vote for the status quo - the old blue ensign with
four stars of the Southern Cross and British 'Union Jack' in the first quarter.
Or a brighter, blue, white and black ensign that still has the Southern Cross -
but has a 'silver fern' divider.
While I am happy - if not enthused - with our present design and can understand
many do not like it, the referendum option if adopted is going to become an
embarrassment. With no disrespect to Kyle Lockwood's designs, the simple fact
is; The 'silver fern' looks to the rest of the world like a white feather. Few
people outside of New Zealand know what a silver fern is. They know what a
feather is. As for being a 'silver' fern, it isn't... it is white.
By definition an ensign is a military flag that identifies the nationality of
the force holding it. That an ensign is also almost universally a national flag
is more than just coincidental.
So, if we vote for the new ensign design, we are voting for our military force
to serve under a white feather. Think about that.
Finally, the silver fern - or white feather - is technically too complex.
Ensigns are designed to be sewn; the silver fern or white feather just isn't
something you can sew on a home sewing machine. By contrast, the
complex-looking arrangements of the British Union flag at least consists of
straight lines - for all its apparent complexity, it is relatively easy to sew.
Read my comments in the attached document - and please feel free to pass it on.
Tim Kerr
P O Box 12 043
CHRISTCHURCH 8242
New Zealand
Ph 03 337 5437
<email obscured>