|
However
no action was taken to create a government, so to New Zealand-built ships
continued to trade without licenses. The United Tribes of New Zealand existed
in name only.
After the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the
declaration of British sovereignty over New Zealand, the Union Jack (or more
correctly, Union Flag) became the de facto official flag of the colony New
Zealand. It was used on all appropriate occasions on shore, and the flag of
the United Tribes became obsolete (if indeed it had even been flown on land).
The Union Jack remained New Zealand's national flag
until the passage of the New Zealand Ensign Act in 1902. After this the Union
Jack continued to be used to represent Britain as the imperial power, and
later as leader of the Commonwealth.
It is still customary to fly the Union Flag in place
of honour immediately after the New Zealand Flag, and before those of other
Commonwealth countries. It is more commonly seen in New Zealand when a member
of the Royal Family, or other distinguished British guest, is visiting.
For
use at sea however, British naval or maritime flags were used by New Zealand
shipping until 1865. In that year the Colonial Naval Defence Act was passed
by the British (Imperial) Parliament. This required ships operated by
colonial governments to fly the Blue Ensign de-faced with the badge of the
colony as a colonial ensign. The Union Jack continued to be flown, as the
name suggests, as a jack flag on other New Zealand-based ships. It continued
to be used regularly well into the 1950’s, instead of, or in tandem with the
New Zealand Ensign.
Unfortunately
in 1865 New Zealand did not have an official badge or emblem. The Blue Ensign
was therefore flown without a distinguishing badge. In 1866, the Government
steamers St. Kilda and Sturt were reprimanded by the commanders of visiting
British ships for flying the Blue Ensign without the colony's badge.
|