LITERATURE. 57 



WARATAH OR WATTLE. 



-^f^HE South Australian " Wattleites " — /.<., tliose who beheve that tht' 

 \^ wattle blossom ought to be the Australian national floral tmblem, are 

 indignant because somebody has told them that South Africa has com- 

 mandeered the yellow flower, and proposes to use it for patriotic purposes. 

 But is the Wattle accepted by the people as the national Australian emblem ? 

 The truth is that the Waratah has a strong following, and it is likely that, 

 if it had a wider range in Australia, it would be easily first as the national 

 flower. The great beauty (jf the Wattle is admitted, but a flower to be used 

 as an emblem requires other quahties. Take the Thistle of Scotland, for 

 instance. It is not only a thing of beauty, but an expression of opinion. 

 It stands up straightly, strongly, and defiantly, armed against attack. Now, 

 what Australia needs is an emblem which shall combine both strength and 

 beauty, and those are qualities which the Waratah possesses to a remarkable 

 extent. Its colouring is pronounced, so that it can be used very suitably on 

 flags, or wherever the national symbols are displayed in colour. Its ruddi- 

 ness suggests health and strength; its texture suggests firmness and endunmce; 

 its strong, upright stalk symbolises independence. Taken altogether, it 

 has just the characteristics of a national flower, and ought to win pride of place 

 over even the lovely Wattle. There ought to be a Waratah League to push its 

 claims, especially in those benigned places in the Commonwealth where it doe- 

 hot grow in its wild state. 



Evening News, May 17, 191 1. 



