The Fijian government has announced it will not be progressing with plans to change the country’s flag - and the union jack will stay part of it. “The cost of any flag change is better spent at the present time assisting Fijians back on their feet.”Last February Bainimarama announced plans to change the flag which was first flown in 1970 when Fiji declared independence from Great Britain. The current flag features the union jack along with a coat of arms with a lion holding a cacao pod, and the local symbols of sugarcane, coconuts, bananas and the Fiji dove surrounding the arms of the cross. “So how much money has the Fiji Government wasted thus far in trying to convince us all that we needed to change...” said Lani Vakatale. Bainimarama said he hoped Fijians would proudly display their flag to welcome the Fijian Rugby Sevens team on Sunday.

Source: The Guardian August 18, 2016 00:33 UTC