THE AUSTRALIAN FLAG

… Naturally, in the present condition of things the flag proposed as the future emblem of the Commonwealth is vulgar and ill-fitting, – a staled réchauffé of the British flag, with no artistic virtue, no national significance. We have to understand and remember that the Commonwealth Constitution is still for the most part a framework, a formula: that to the height of its spirit we have not yet risen. It represents an aspiration, a tendency, rather than a fact. One could not expect otherwise. Minds move slowly; and Australia is still Britain's little boy. What more natural than that he should accept his father's cut-down garments, – lacking the power to protest, and only dimly realising his will. That bastard flag is a true symbol of the bastard state of Australian opinion, still in large part biassed [sic] by British traditions, British customs, still lacking many years to the sufficiency of manhood which will determine a path of its own. The natural feeling of resentment at the indignity is not shared by the multitude. Probably seven in ten of Australians or British-Australians are conscious of no offence in the monstrosity that has been foisted upon them for a symbol. They have wit enough to follow when led along a higher path; but they cannot see for themselves, and they have no leaders. The flag represents the old generation, the old leaven. But the new generations are growing; the new leaven is working. The New Spirit is beginning to be felt in Literature and in Art; even in Politics. With the New Leaders will come a New Flag.

The Bulletin, Sydney, 28 September 1901, p. 7.