HEREDITARY TITLES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1207, 16 August 1911, Page 4

HEREDITARY TITLES.

HASTY CRITIC SUAVELY CRUSHED,

Some days ago an excited attack was made on Mr. E. Newman, M.P., by the Auckland "Herald" for introducing a Hereditary Titles Prevention Bill. In Monday's "Herald" Mr, Newman quietly sits upon his critic in a letter to the editor, as follows:—

"My attention has been drawn to your leading article of the sth inst., in which you are good enough to statt that my Bill dealing with this subject, which has already pa.'.-ed its first reading in tlie Howe, 'reflects disci-edit upon its promoter and all those who encouraged it.,' and 'is unworthy of sdf-respepting men.' I venture to suggest that this somewhat intemperate language is not justified by the circumstances, and 1 desire, with all courtesy, to poiut out to you Hint, as a matter of fact, you have not yet had an opportunity of even perusing tlia Bill in question, How, then, can you state that it is aimed at that distinguished statesman for whoso privileges you display .such •extreme solicitude? I would be very sorry to put any restraint upon your enthusiasm upon this subject, but at tho same time I must in self-defeuca suggest that it would be a safe rule, even for tho editor of a newspaper, to defer criticism of any Bill until after perusal of the same. I assure- you there is no member of tho House who would desire to interfere in any way with the high prerogative of our gracious King, and if, as you suggest, the Bill in question, does interfere with such prerogatives, and tho proper authority rules to that effect, it will be withdrawn, and then another method will bo taken to obtain the opinion of members of Parliament upon the question of the establishment of hereditary titles in New Zealand. Personally, I am strongly of opinion that it is not in the interests of ths people of this country that a titled aristocracy should be brought into existence. I am not a, supporter of tho so-called Liberal party, but I believe in equal opportunities -to, nil ■men,, and I cannot see that cciua'iTp'ifofhTu'lticrwttikrbo given to all men if some men's sons are possessed of hereditary rights to titles of honour."