Last modified: 2018-12-15 by rob raeside
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image by Mark Sensen, 29 July 1998
See also:From Flag Bulletin, Vol. V No. 4, August 1966, pg. 128.:
An old tradition of misuse of the Netherlands red-white-blue flag has
come to an end this year. When in the first days of May every year the
fishermen had brought back from the North Sea the fresh salt herring --
"Dutch New Mates" -- for almost two centuries one could buy this sea-banquet
in Western Europe at stands and shops decorated and indicated by a little
Netherlands flag.
Too often these flags were shown day and night; and of course there
was opposition because of the impropriety of using a national symbol for
commercial purposes. The Foundation for Vexillology and Heraldry at Muidenberg
every year tried to get the stands to stop using the national flag. Finally
success has been met.
Beginning in February 1966 the governmental organization for the promotion
of fish-selling in the Netherlands has sanctioned a new flag for herring
shops and stands. The design is a very good one: a white herring on a red
H on a blue-bordered white emblem, all on a field of white with blue stripes
at top and bottom. It retains the Dutch national colors and is an attractive
promotional feature, but it does not break the flag protocols. So seeing
this flag, "Let's have another Mate!"
(KS) [Klaes Sierksma]
Dave Martucci, 13 July 1998