Should the nations of the commonwealth stay together?

[b.scheller]

Canada, is a member of the British commonwealth. A representational organization linking former British colonies and its mother country, its primary function is to show a sort of solidarity. Most of the work that shows and is enjoyed by many are the commonwealth games.

Anyway, now with the amount of emigration and education that has happened in the last couple of decades. Is there any reason to stay together? Even if their is, should countries like Canada, Australia or New Zealand move towards more independance from Britain by changing some of the many things that have risen about as a result of being a former colony.

Should we be forced to swear loyalty to the crown? Also, should the British monarchy be still the figurehead leader of the many former colonies?

[DE_Six]

Id' say yes.

Why? Why not?

It's not like it's a real burden. We have those ceremonial references to the Crown, but we effectively govern ourselves.
It's quite a positive affiliation, too. Commonwealth countries are generally stable, prosperous nations (except for a few African countries...).

And we have the Commonwealth Games. :P

[b.scheller]

I agree with you, just trying to raise discussion...anyway post people and get this ball rolling...

[DE_Six]

I wasn't arguing either. :P

C'mon, vote and tell!

[ßå$tĮТHÏ¿ð]

I agree is doing us no harm in being apart of the commonwealth. It actually is a big part of our history, and made our country the place it is today. In short keep it, as in the long run its better to remeber were you came from and how it all started.

[Opening Batsman]

The Republic of Australia... It has a nice ring to it! A nice change of flag would be good also, perhaps replace the union jack with the Aboriginal flag. :)

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

b.scheller wrote,

Anyway, now with the amount of emigration and education that has happened in the last couple of decades. Is there any reason to stay together? Even if their is, should countries like Canada, Australia or New Zealand move towards more independance from Britain by changing some of the many things that have risen about as a result of being a former colony.

I don't know about the other two, but New Zealand has been moving steadily away from the mother country for decades. We have our own awards system for instance, and we no longer see the Privy council in London as the highest court in the land(so to speak). Even when I enlisted in the NZ Army in 1990 you had the choice of swearing fealty to the Queen or to the country.
New Zealand will continue to grow and mature as a nation and although we won't forget our roots, we won't be tied down by them either.

[Lone Predator]

frankly, Canada has just replaced all its paper money with newer style bills

if we get new bills AGAIN, people are going to have to distinquish 3 types of 5,10,20,50,100 dollar bills and 2 types of nickles, dimes, quarters, loonies, twonies ect...

plus when the canadian revolution happens and we invade our sworn enemies the greenlandians, we need allies
they are few in numbers but they are crafty

[Opening Batsman]

nickles, dimes, quarters, loonies, twonies ect...

Woah, what language is that? Sounds like a bunch of cartoon characters. :P

[GazB]

I just hope we don't change our flag.

It pisses me off when people say we need a new one... the existing one is not cool enough.

The day flags become fashionable is the day they loose all meaning... they will end up like soccer jersies... changing every season or government. which of course screams banana republic.

My grandad and dad fought under the current flag and it is good enough for me... it is certainly the only one I will swear alliegance to.

I'd prefer to see New Zealand changed first... where is Zealand anyway?

(Not that I want that changed either).

[DE_Six]

we no longer see the Privy council in London as the highest court in the land(so to speak). Even when I enlisted in the NZ Army in 1990 you had the choice of swearing fealty to the Queen or to the country.

Same in Canada.

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

Gazb wrote,

I'd prefer to see New Zealand changed first... where is Zealand anyway?

I believe the original Zeeland is in Holland. Abel Tasman and all that.

[OB Kenobi]

The Republic of Australia... It has a nice ring to it! A nice change of flag would be good also, perhaps replace the union jack with the Aboriginal flag. :)

Is there really such a thing? What does it look like?

[Opening Batsman]

The Republic of Australia... It has a nice ring to it! A nice change of flag would be good also, perhaps replace the union jack with the Aboriginal flag. :)

Is there really such a thing? What does it look like?

http://www.prodos.com/graphics/cathyfreeman2.jpg

http://www.flagaustnat.asn.au/images/body/graphics/aboriginalflagsmall.jpg

Yellow represents the sun (giver of life) and yellow ochre. Red represents the red earth (the relationship to the land) and the red ochre used in ceremonies. Black represents the Aboriginal people.

The flag is flown or displayed permanently at Aboriginal centres throughout Australia. It is popularly recognised as the flag of the aboriginal peoples of Australia and should only be flown by other Australians when permission has been granted.

[Herrmannek]

Yup it could bust up your medal score on olimpics just sum all medals from comonwealth and see where you are ;)

[mack pl]

Gazb wrote,

I'd prefer to see New Zealand changed first... where is Zealand anyway?

I believe the original Zeeland is in Holland. Abel Tasman and all that.

:roll: the biggest island in Denmark :roll:

[digrar]

http://www.flagaustnat.asn.au/images/body/graphics/aboriginalflagsmall.jpg
^ This will never be part of the Australian National Flag. The Union Jack is a massive part of our history and deserves it's place up in the corner of the ANF.
I think we will become a republic, as soon as we get a republic model that is acceptable. The one we voted on last time wasn't right and hopefully next time we get some better choices.
We (or the majority of us any way) couldn't give a rats for the Royal family anymore and as soon as the Queen gives up the crown it will mean even less to us, so the sooner we get our own head of state the better.
We would remain part of the Commonwealth though, it's good for morale dominating the Comm Games :P .

[Flagg]

I am in complete agreement with New Zealand abolishing it's Privy Council and creating an NZ Supreme Court......however I think it would be a shame to see NZ law stray away with the exception of purely localized legal issues.

I agree with GazB, I'd hate to see the flag change....the current one is pretty cool if you ask me(although I can see the confusion made between the NZ flag and the slightly worse looking Aussie one ;) )

As Ngati mentioned...we have the option to swear to either the Queen or to the Country...to me the choice was obvious.

But I do think there is a place for the Commonwealth...the "anchor tenants" will always have a close relationship as besides having much in common, they have deep historical bonds.

I am one that hopes it somehow possible the Commonwealth could succeed where the UN has failed, especially in Africa.

My vote is for the creation of a Commonwealth Rugby League...any one second it?

[OB Kenobi]

http://www.flagaustnat.asn.au/images/body/graphics/aboriginalflagsmall.jpg

Yellow represents the sun (giver of life) and yellow ochre. Red represents the red earth (the relationship to the land) and the red ochre used in ceremonies. Black represents the Aboriginal people.

The flag is flown or displayed permanently at Aboriginal centres throughout Australia. It is popularly recognised as the flag of the aboriginal peoples of Australia and should only be flown by other Australians when permission has been granted.

Eh, honestly, I find this flag a bit disturbing. Especially the large yellow sphere in the center. It is either a hidden reference to the Japanese god Pacman, or the back of a smiley. It also seems like something should be inside it, maybe a fish? :cantbeli:

So I guess let's stick with the Union Jack for now. :)

[digrar]

I'd hate to see the flag change....the current one is pretty cool if you ask me(although I can see the confusion made between the NZ flag and the slightly worse looking Aussie one ;) )


Pffft, red stars, what are you a bunch of communists. :P

[garoco]

I'm an Aussie of Aboriginal/Irish background and a signed up years before this PM Keys **** (I've got a 280....) number ;) If Australia does ever chose to change the flag I would like to representative of 'both Australias' - Indigenous and non-Indigenous but without the current Aboriginal "protest" flag in it.

I'm more than happy with our current flag, four generations of my family have served 'under it'. . . even though I know personally that all four generations of my mob didn't join for simply a flag it still means alot to me.

[oldsoak]

I'd go for no. The commonwealth has got its roots in the UKs colonial past and I think we need to put that behind us and start over. As long as there is the commonwealth, I feel the UK will always think its still in the middle of things and try and be a patronising old git at the table. It will attempt to play the part it did years ago when quite frankly the kids have grown up and gone. Let me also say I dont think we could ever repay the sacrifices made by the commonwealth in the wars we've gotten into or make right the problems we created for you. And guess what, we havent and we dont, so you guys really deserve better.

[SFontaine]

we no longer see the Privy council in London as the highest court in the land(so to speak). Even when I enlisted in the NZ Army in 1990 you had the choice of swearing fealty to the Queen or to the country.

Same in Canada.

No. Here in Canada we have a choice of swearing allegience to the Crown or God, which I think is rediculous. I joined the CF to defend Canada and her citizens, not to defend some old lady who lives in England and hasn't even spent enough time in this country to qualify for citizenship. You look at Canada and we've essentially just copied the UK. You look at the US and they've made their own country, their own ceremonies, positions, titles etc. That's what I want for Canada.

[EvanL]

I would like to remain as part of the commonwealth. i think our ties to britain, both historically and culturally are an important factor in what is Canada.
If Canada votes on it and the majority wants to seperate from the crown, so be it. I will still be canadian, and i will still have my british citizenship. (as soon as it comes!)

[SFontaine]

There is a difference between being a member of the Commonwealth and being under the British crown. Lots of republics like India, Pakistan, and South Africa are part of the Commonwealth, but they don't have the Queen as Head of State.

The commonwealth is just an international organization, like the Organization of American States or the Arab League. You no longer even have to be an ex-colony to join. If Canada became a republic we could still be a member of the Commonwealth if we chose.

[Germaine]

we no longer see the Privy council in London as the highest court in the land(so to speak). Even when I enlisted in the NZ Army in 1990 you had the choice of swearing fealty to the Queen or to the country.

Same in Canada.

No. Here in Canada we have a choice of swearing allegience to the Crown or God, which I think is rediculous. I joined the CF to defend Canada and her citizens, not to defend some old lady who lives in England and hasn't even spent enough time in this country to qualify for citizenship. You look at Canada and we've essentially just copied the UK. You look at the US and they've made their own country, their own ceremonies, positions, titles etc. That's what I want for Canada.

Its part of CDN history, of course Cdn comes first but im still proud to be in the commonwealth with all the customs, culture new old and the future ones.

[Imshi-Yallah]

Bring on the IANZAC

[oldsoak]

Bring on the IANZAC

Add British and Candian to that and we'd have a tongue twister !