TITULAR DISTINCTIONS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 32, 1 November 1928, Page 13

TITULAR DISTINCTIONS

Sir, —Is it usual for a politician, not being the son of a peer, nor having served as a Cabinet Minister for a specified period, to tack tlie prefix “Hon.” on to his name? This query was put by a friend the other day in view qf tlie presence in our midst of Mr. W. F. Finlayson, an Australian politician on a special mission in support of the prohibition cause.

Mr. Finlayson, I may here mention, was rejected by the electors of Brisbane at the Federal general election of 1919. At that time the Parliament of Queensland was constituted on tlie bi-cameral system. The extremely socialistic legislation introduced in the Assembly of the State by the Labour Government led by the late. Mr. Ryan, and subsequently by Mr. Theodore, was repeatedly blocked, or amended, by the Legislative Council, thus precipitating a crisis that led to the question of the abolition of the second Chamber being submitted by the Government- —in the sure hope of endorsement —to the people by means of a referendum. Tlie electors, clearly desiring to obviate a violation of tile constitution that conferred on them the provilege of responsible government, and under which rapid advancement had been made in all that pertained to tlie opening up and settlement of a new country, decided by a majority of about 70,000 against the proposal. The deadlock between the two Houses continued, and the Government determined, in defiance of tlie expressed will of a huge majority of the people, to introduce a measure providing for the abolition of the Upper House. To ensure tlie carrying of the Bill the “swamping” process was resorted to, and several new nominations were approved by Cabinet, Mr. Finlayson’s name appearing amongst the number. Thus was taken the first step in the direction of the handing over of the destinies of a State to a Government whose every movement is subject to the dictation of the Trades Hall, free from the salutary checks imposed by a deliberative and revisory Chamber independent of such extraneous influence. Then one or two fortuitous circumstances occurred. The Governor—Sir 11. Goold Adams—retired on completion of his term of office. The Presidentship of the Legislative Council became vacant by the death of Mr. W. Hamilton. Some very cunning precautions, other than “swamping,” were then taken to ensure the cjffisummation of the Government «policy. For example: The position of President was at once filled by the appointment of a former member of Cabinet, and. for a short time previously, Speaker of (he Legislative Assembly, _ Pending the filling of the vacancy in the Governorship by the Imperial authorities, the new president of the council, became administrator of the Government (a dormant commission vested in tlie Chief Justice being brushed aside). The Administrator, a notoriously strong party man, not troubled by constitutional principles, readily gave jiis assent to the recommendation of his advisers in the matter of the new appointments, and a Government majority in the Council was thus secured. The Bill for the abolition of the Upper House was at once introduced in the Assembly, went on to the Council, where “hari kari” was performed, and the Chamber (became defunct.

Having, perhaps, wearied you and your readers with this piece of what is now ancient history, I will, with your permission, endeavour to point the moral: Mr. Finlayson is here, presumably, to advocate the doctrine, embodying the principle that the will of the people, even if expressed by the barest possible majority, must prevail. He had no compunction whatever in flouting the wishes of the multitude in Queensland, unmistakably manifested in the most pronounced manner on a matter of vital importance, involving a violent wrench of the constitution, iu order that legislation to suit the whims and fancies of a class might have unrestricted passage to the Statute Book. Now for the climax: The reward that came the way of those honourable gentlemen for thwarting the will of the people was the bestowal of the right to use the. titular distinction of “Hon,,” and a golden medallion to dangle on their watchguards to secure them free passages on the railways of Australia, and also, I understand, of New Zealand, for the term of their natural lives. Who, in the face of all this, will venture to say that noble and heroic deeds do not merit special recognition? On- the eve of a general election will not what I have just related serve as a reminder to the people of New Zealhnd of what may happen here in view of certain eventualities, by revolutionary encroachments on all that makes for security, material progress, and stability. —I am, etc., A. MACINTOSH. Wellington, October 27. P.S. —The only paid member of the Queensland Legislative Council, now nonexistent, was the President, who drew a salary of £lOOO per annum. The occupant of that position who so complacently lent his aid as President, and subsequently as Administrator of the Government, in the political tragedy which I have described above was compensated, but not by an empty title and a watchguard trinket. lie was fitted into a specially-created life appointment, that of Lieut.-Governor. to which was attached a salary of £950 a year. When an interregnum occurs he automatically steps into Government House as the King’s representative. That is how things are ar ranged under Labour rule in that fair land across the water. —A.M.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

“Inquirer.”—No. Miss Bannerman did not play “Other Men’s Wives” in London. In the London cast Miss Fay Compton took the part played here by Miss Bannerman, Mr. Leslie Banks was Anthony Peel, and Mr. Robert Holmes the detective.

“One of the Diggers.”—Publication would revive discussion on a problem that has already been approached from every angle.