FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 115, 16 May 1936, Page 17

FIFTY YEARS AGO

ITEMS FKOM "THE POST"

A SHOWER OF HONOURS

"We expect her Majesty's Government must be a good deal puzzled to know what to do with the crowd of aspirants to titles in connection with the Indian and Colonial Exhibition," remarks "The Post" of this date fifty years ago. "The period for the annual distribution of birthday honours is rapidly approaching,''and after tha part taken by her Majesty in opening the great Colonial and Indian show, it is naturally to be expected that Indians and Colonials will figure very ■largely in the honours list. The question is—how are the rival claims to be adjusted, and how are those to be rewarded who have already received the K.C.M.G.? The cable says that the Executive Commissioners are to be made KX.M.G.s and the Assistant Commissioners and the prominent Secretaries are to get the Companionship of the Order. This plan would perhaps to some extent answer if all the parties were untitled and undistinguished, but this is not the case. Our own Executive Commissioner, for instance, Sir F. D. Bell, is riot only a Knight Bachelor, but also a Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George. The Assistant Commissioner, Dr. Yon Haast, is already a Companion of that most distinguished Order. Are {they to get nothing more for all their exertions in regard to this Exhibition? There are others similarly situated. If they are to get anything more, what is it to be? Her Majesty can scarcely make the K.C.M.G.s all Baronets, or/ the assistants who are Companions Knights. The Civil Companionship of the Bath might certainly, be given to the K.C.M.G.S, but there is a wellknown and a strong disinclination to confer any. degree of the Bath upon colonists. Perhaps the honour of a Privy Councillorship might not inappropriately be given to the AgentsGeneral who already have titles. If • Dr. Yon Haast, C.M.G., becomes Sir Julius, and Dr. Buller, C.M.G., remains a poor Companion, there will be terrible: jealousy. Another : question \which will arise is whether the honours are to be confined to the official representatives of the colonies at the Exhibition,. or are tha prominent men in.the colonies to participate in the Royal favours? There was a rumour some time! ago that all the Premiers were to be knighted. .It will certainly .cause some dissatisfaction if all honours are confined to the ■small band of colonists who are in London officially connected with the Exhibition. The list.of birthday honours this year will be looked for with more than usual interest." THE COMING SESSION. ."■ /'The action of Parliament during the coming session must materially influence the weal or woe of the colony for, a Jong time to come. . The period hasvarrived when some definite decisioii jnusf be come to as to the ,future policy which is to guide the colony. Members stand on the summit of the range which divides past from present. It is given to them to decide what experience of that' which has been, is to apply to their future progress. It is almost impossible to "exaggerate the responsibility which attaches to the prudent discharge' of their duties The session may be, and probably will be, a short one, but-it is' charged with issues that must continue for years to come to make it memorable. One can anticipate that the Governor's. Speech when Parliament,is opened will bring into prominent notice the highly satisfactory condition of the Maori race. The Speech will probably reiterate the ■statement.made by the Premier at Napier that the relations between the two races inhabiting this colony have never before been of so cordial a character, and reference will'be made to the Bill for the better disposal of Native lands which is to be introduced. Wa fully expect to find an expression of opinion, that New Zealand ought not to be cast. down or disheartened by the depression from which it is suffering, in common with other countries, although to a less extent, and we shall be told that such: a depression should be regarded as an incentive to exertion. The Speech will probably contain some reference.to the Midland Bailway scheme! which has been so prominently before the public of late, an^ it is to be hoped that a very distinct and' clear reference will be made to the question of the means by which local governing bodies are to be enabled to carry;out the useful works confided to! their care, and without which the ■ extension' of settlement throughout.. the country is impossible. We:may bequite sure that the. subject of the progress of public works will not pass unnoticed, and we. may also anticipate a reference to1 the industrial resources of the colony, and. to the great importance of promoting and developing them. The influence of liberal land laws in the opening up of the country for settlement, and references to the South Sea Islands, are other likely topics in the SpeechVwhich will be of a more than ordinary decisive character. We anticipate that it will place the views of the Government on matters of great importance clearly and plainly before the country." ■ : . SETBACK FOR PETONE. "It is greatly to be regretted that :he second attempt to get the sanction Df the Petohe ratepayers to a waterworks and drainage loan should have lailed as 'it did yesterday. Of the resident: ratepayers,' all •in ;.fact who :ould record their votes, an overwhelmhg majority Have twice declared in !avour of raising a loan, but there are i large number of absentees who own imall. sections in 'the township, and vhose names figure on the ratepayers' oil. If these people were here, no loubt they'would, like the other ratelayers who are resident, recognise the lecessity for providing a drainage sysem and a water supply for the rising Dwnship in which.. they are interestd. ' Unfortunately, the law treats very ratepayer who does not vote as eing opposed to the loan. Thus the ttemp't has now "twice been defeated, wing to the absence of ratepayers who annot be present, and who, if they 'ere, would willingly support the loan. T.e think that the law should be alteri to meet such a case as that of etone's, and .we.hope that something •ill be done during the present seson so that the Petone people may be labled to raise .the money they retire to provide for the health and aprovement of that township."