KIWI REVOLT

New Zealand May Cut Union Jack From Flag

Referendum next year.

The British Empire may have held on to Scotland, but its former colonies are feeling rebellious. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said he would hold a referendum on changing the nation’s flag next year. “I’d like to get on with it. I’d like to do it as a 2015 issue,” he told a New Zealand radio station. “I’m obviously a big supporter of the change, I think there are a lot of strong arguments in favor of the change.” The prime minister has made his preference for ditching the Union Jack known. He has said he would prefer a a silver fern against a black background, which is already used by New Zealand sports teams like the All Blacks. Others have complained that such a flag would make New Zealand synonymous with their sports teams and also look too similar to a pirate’s flag. Earlier this year, Key urged his fellow Kiwis to think of Canada’s decision to replace their Union Jack flag. “I know it was a ferocious debate in Canada, but in the end would any Canadians look back and say they got it wrong with the maple leaf?” he said.