Page 8
University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1964
Canadians Choose New National Flag
OTTAWA —(UPI)— Hemmed in by closure, but bursting with invective, the House of Commons early today gave birth to a new Canadian flag.
Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson made one final plea for all sides to "rally around" the flag, but the offer was shunned by the Conservatives, some of them waving fists. The battle ended as it began—with division.
The design of the new Canadian flag: a single red maple leaf on a white background with vertical red borders, recommended by an all-party Commons committee and finally voted on under closure after helping prolong the longest Canadian parliamentary session in history.
THE FLAG debate was in its 33rd day, the session in its 210th, and the flag battle may not be finished.
The same committee voted in favor of the Jack as Canada's second flag to show this country's allegiance to the Commonwealth.
Today the single leaf flag goes to the Senate where it is expected to receive another rough ride, while the Commons considers still another flag, the Union Jack.
The Conservatives were expected to move today that this be changed to make the red ensign, already a loser for number one spot, the second flag.
Creditiste party leader Real Caouette said he will vote against any second flag.
"NO OTHER country in the world has two flags," he says. "Why should we?"
The end to the major flag debate came at 1:13 a.m. with the last of three votes held during the night and early morning.
It came out 163 in favor of the single leaf design and 78 against.
Pakistani Students Hold Demonstration
DACCA, East Pakistan—UPI-
Pakistani students demonstrated
here and in two other cities yesterday against President Mohamed
Avub Khan.
In Dacea, students paraded through the streets shouting antigovernment slogans.
The members rose in their seats immediately follow the vote and, led apparently by French-Canadians, sang "O Canada" in both English and French, followed by "God Save the Queen."
SOME CONSERVATIVES walked out of the chamber in disgust. French-Canadian members, a few Conservatives sprinkled among them, spilled into the main corridor outside the House carrying a giant version of the new flag, and sang "O Canada" again.
Both Pearson and opposition leader John Diefenbaker slipped out of the building.
"No prime minister has divided the country more than this one," said Diefienbaker as he stepped into an elevator with his wife, Olive.
MINUTES EARLIER Diebennaker the cheers of his followers ringing through the Commons — flatly refused Pearson's invitation to join in giving a unanimous vote to the flag.
Some shouted the prime minister was insulting them by making the offer.
The final vote ended one of the most exciting—and bitter—days in the Commons. It began with the closure vote itself, carried by 152 to 85, which meant the marathon debate had to come to a head at 1 a.m.
From then until late evening, speakers — most of them Conservative—lambasted the government for its handling of the flag and the final indignity of closure. Most said they did not like the red leaf design, but they would support it if it were accepted by the majority.
ENGLISH STYLE DEBATE
Resolved: that the sex myth is the basis of racial prejudice.
7:30 Wed.
Dec. 16
Big Eight Room Union
The ULTIMATE in apartment living —
PARK PLAZA SOUTH
one or two bedroom apartments with these outstanding features—
- 37 brand-new units with balconies
- newly decorated with carpeting and drapery
- newly enlarged public laundromat
- swimming pool
- all appliances furnished (including disposal)
- air conditioning and central heating
Ph. VI 2-3416
1912 W. 25th
Wichita Gets Top Spot in Ratings
iPad product free international ad