Honour and advice for Sir David

Press, 22 October 1980, Page 6

Honour and advice for Sir David

By

KEN COATES,

in London

When he became a Freeman of the City of London, in an ancient Guildhall- ceremony ■ yesterday,’ the Gover-nor-General-designate, Sir David Beattie, was presented with a book, traditionally given to all freemen, entitled “Rules for the Conduct of Life.’l. .-- in • view of Sir -David s high? ’office. and the turmoil over-.political leadership, in New Zealand, the following rule seemed apt: - “Engage not: ini any party .quarrels, whether public or private, further than the laws of God ot.-your country oblige' you, lest you be crushed between theih.”' ■■■' '■ < •’* ■■■■'-’'

( Both Sir David ahd Lady Beattie received the honour; which'dates back to Medieval England, from the hands of the Chamberlain of-Lon-don, ’Mr John P. Griggs. The freedom of the city was essential in bygone ages for every man who wanted tp trade or be a craftsman, and exercise the right to vote.

Closely linked with the London Livery Companies, the freedom is gained by patrimony, servitude, or redemption. Sir David received his status through redemption, but the fee involved, today $2B, Was paid by an old friend, .Sir Jack Jacob, who has the title of the Queen’s Remembrancer.’. Recent recipients of the freedom granted jn : these three ways include. Sir Roy Jenkins, the Duke ; of; Gloucester, Graham Hill, Sir Edward Heath, Lord Feather, Morecombe and Wise, Lord Goodman, high commissioners, service chiefs, governors of the Bank of England, bishops, and judges. , .. The ■ highest honour the city can bestow is the freedom,. “honoris ~ causa,” or honorary, freedom, , awarded as a. mark of high distinction for exceptional services. Former honorary freemen include Nelson, Wellington, Disraeli, 4 General Booth, Winston Churchill, Nehru and .Montgomery of Alamein. . Sir David received a' scroll

and made . his declaration as a freeman before the chamberlain, who is banker and legal adviser to the City of London. His role dates back to the old chamber or coun-ting-house, through which the city’s revenues .from skins, corn, and other produce arriving on the Thames was channelled.

Among those, at yesterday’s ceremony was the Lord Mayor, Sir Peter Gad-sen,-who is nearing the end of his year’s term. A Cana-dian-born mining consultant, his . role is one of ambassa-dor-at-large and he has constantly been travelling the world, including China and Australia, in consultation with the Foreign Office. He has been to New Zealand twice, the last visit being for the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. On November 7, he will relinquish his post to the Lord Mayor-elect, Colonel Ronald Gardner-Thorpe, in what is, traditionally, the- “ Silent Ceremony.” "