Dear MEL Topic Readers,
New Zealand
votes to keep flag in referendum
Another controversial
referendum. Politicians ask the public directly their opinions by the form of referendum
when they cannot make a decision themselves or when they propose a change in the
constitution. British people seem to like this political process. The independence
of Scotland is a recent example and the EU membership is another to be voted
soon.
Interestingly,
a former British colony has just had such democratic process to end a debate,
at least for a while. The national flag. Some New Zealanders want it to show
more independence from its former suzerain state by removing the iconic Union
Jack from its national flag and present something distinctive to their country
such as fern and the color black. Others don’t see the necessity of such a
change or just want to keep the tradition. Such a sentimental issue can hardly
be decided by the elected representatives. So, they spent NZ$26 million from
the budget and unmeasurable amount of time and work for a referendum, which
concluded that no change is more favored. It would cost much more if they had
chosen the other option to replace the existing one with the new one.
Enjoy reading
and thinking which option you would vote for if you were an eligible voter.
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