The Press SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1970. The Honours List

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32322, 13 June 1970, Page 10

The Press SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1970. The Honours List

Few New Zealanders will have been surprised to learn that the Prime Minister has been accorded one of the highest orders of knighthood. Nearly a decade of continuous service as head of the Government must be rated, even by those who do not support the National Party or the Government’s particular policies, as a notable contribution to the State and the community. The order of which Sir Keith Holyoake has been made a knight and the class of which he is now a member are the same as those by which the late Sir Walter Nash was honoured. Speculation on whether the Prime Minister would be so honoured has been common for several years—a clear enough indication that many people have expected such a distinction for a man who has worked prodigiously hard in what he has seen to be the best interests of the country both at home and in international affairs. The conferment of this high honour is of course a recognition also that the Prime Minister has become an elder statesman of the Commonwealth; and it will be warmly approved beyond New Zealand just as it will give pleasure, within this country, to many who do not share his political beliefs. To some this news will be taken as a sign that Sir Keith Holyoake intends soon to retire from the leadership of his party and of the Government. This might be so: and no-one could deny him the right to stand down after ten years as Prime Minister even though his party has been elected to govern for a longer term. At the same time, it would be a misreading of the Prime Minister’s character to assume that public recognition and retirement from political leadership are necessarily connected. Now a Knight Bachelor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives has been accorded a title customarily given to those who have served in that office for more than one Parliament. No-one has a higher responsibility than the Speaker for the standing of Parliament in public esteem or for its efficient and orderly functioning; New Zealand is fortunate that most of its Speakers of long standing—and Sir Roy Jack is now among them—have exhibited unusually high standards of perception, patience, a sense of fairness, and authority that have conTributed much to the quality of Parliamentary government. Few officials in the world of education have had to contend with such momentous yet delicate problems as have been in the province of the chairman of the University Grants Committee, now Sir Alan. Danks. He has discharged his onerous task with adroitness, impartiality, and great administrative skill. While this knighthood has obviously been conferred for services outside the lecture rooms—in local body affairs and as an educational and economic adviser to the Government—it will not be forgotten that Sir Alan Danks was an outstanding teacher and public speaker. An acute mind, sharp wit, and a rare talent for evoking a keen response from his audience have made him something of a national personality.

The recognition of a man who has been for many years the Mayor of New Zealand’s largest city —Sir Dove-Myer Robinson, Mayor of Auckland—is a just tribute to his energetic, sometimes controversial, but always devoted public service. The honours accorded Mr A. J. McDonald and Mr R. F. Wilson might strike some citizens as unusual recognition for work in the interests of a particular political party. It is, however, worth reflecting that these men are no less concerned with the welfare of citizens than are the political representatives of the people and members of the Public Service. Many members of the Labour Party will appreciate the notice taken of Mr McDonald’s long career dedicated to ideals which, by his lights, are by no means pursued solely for the benefit of a political party. Some of those mentioned in the list of honours are less well known for their public service than, say, Mr A. H. Nordmeyer and Mr J. K. McAlpine. Among these are Miss Helen Campbell, for many years nursing tutor at the Christchurch Hospital. The value of her work to the community will be well understood by those who trained under her guidance. It is pleasing, too, to see the recognition of another kind of service to the community that has been rendered selflessly and without expectation of notice or reward. Miss Hilda Frame, of Governor’s Bay, has been a devoted foster mother to many unfortunate children who wanted for homes. Here is one humble citizen who has devoted the greater part of her life to rescuing the unfortunate and turning them into good and useful citizens.