The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 (before which the territory had the status of a British colony, self-governing from 1855) . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland. According to the Statute of Westminster of December 11, 1931, the Dominion of Newfoundland was independent within the British Commonwealth, as were Canada, Ireland, the Union of South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. But on February 16, 1934 the Newfoundland Parliament passed an Address to the Crown relinquishing self-government. Responsible government in Newfoundland voluntarily ended and governance of the dominion reverted to direct control from London — one of the few countries that has ever voluntarily given up direct self-rule. Between 1934 and 1949 a six-member Commission of Government (plus a governor) administered Newfoundland, reporting to the Dominions Office in London. Newfoundland remained a de jure dominion until it joined Canada in 1949 to become Canada's tenth province.
The Union Jack was adopted by legislature as the official national flag of the Dominion of Newfoundland on May 15, 1931, before which time the Newfoundland Red Ensign, as civil ensign of Newfoundland, was used as the national flag (though unlegislated).