FREEDOM OF THE CITY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 102, 16 January 1923, Page 5

FREEDOM OF THE CITY

NOT A COLONIAL HONOUR During the visit of the French squadron to Sydney last week,, an unofficial suggestion was made that the freedom of the city be conferred on Admiral Gilly, its commander. It was stated officially that no such honour existed In the Australian States, and a reference to the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.) elicited the information that such was the case here also. Before tho passing of tho Municipal Corporations Act, 1835, each English borough admitted freemen according to its own peculiar custom and bylaws. The rights and. privileges of a freeman, though varying in different boroughs, generally included the right to vote at a Parliamentary election of the borough, and exemption from all tolls and dues. The Act of 1835 respected existing usages, and every p*erson who was then an admitted freeman remained one, retaining at the same time all his former rights and privileges. The admission of 'freemen is now regulated by the Municipal Corporations Act,. 1882. Under that statute no person can be admitted, a freeman by gift or purchase; that is, only birth, servitude, or marriage are qualifications. A statute of 1885, however. makes an exception, as bv that Act the council of every borough may from time to time admit persons of distinction to be honorary freemen of the borough, but it requires a two-thirds majority of the (council, and takes awav the riszht of votincr for Parliament. Legal opinion in Wellington indicates that there would be nothing illegal in granting the freedom of r New Zealand city, but, on the other hand, it would have no practical effect whatever.