HONOUR FOR MR JORDAN.

Evening Star, Issue 22602, 20 March 1937, Page 16

HONOUR FOR MR JORDAN.

Ax item of interest in to-day’s news is the announcement that Mr William Joseph Jordan, New Zealand’s High Commissioner, has had conferred on him the Freedom of Ramsgate, his native town. At the function at which the privilege was given Mr Jordan modestly said he accepted the honour for New Zealand as well as for himself. If he so desires our High Commissioner will now be entitled to drive pigs through the streets at any hour of the day or night. It is unlikely, however, that he will ever be impelled to take advantage of the opportunity that such a concession implies, by engaging in the branch of agriculture that includes pigraising in its activities. When his term of office expires it may be presumed, even supposing the present Labour Government is in opposition, that he will return to this Dominion in which he found chances to display his abilities. He has had a varied and interesting career. Born in Ramsgate fifty-eight years ago, he became in turn a coach painter, a worker in the postal service, and a policeman on beat in London streets. Seeking the path of adventure, he left his native land and came to New Zealand thirty-three years ago. He tried his hand at many things, and in 1907 was appointed the first secretary of the New Zealand Labour Party, work that in the fullness of time was largely responsible for bringing him into his present high posi. tion. Mr Jordan went to the Great War, was severely wounded while in France, and after the armistice was appointed by the Government of the day an instructor under the New Zealand educational scheme that was devised for soldiers. His transition to the parliamentary sphere was a natural development, apd his appointment as High. Commissioner was a climax to a life of strenuous endeavour. His natural exuberance will no doubt be kept in control by coming in contact with all sorts and conditions of men in his present position. No one will grudge Mr Jordan the honour done to him by his native town. Another distinguished New Zealander, of Kentish birth, similarly honoured was the late Sir William Hall-Jones, w*ho was born in Folkestone, and the citizens of Falkirk some years ago made the late Sir John Roberts a “ freeman ” of that ancient burgh in recognition of his successful career. In days gone by the man who received the freedom of a city enjoyed the right to share, in its government and to enjoy certain material privileges. That is not now the case. In the exercise of their power to admit burgesses by election, it is the custom for the magistrates of the more important cities and towns of the United Kingdom to admit persons of distinction, whether residents or strangers, to the position of honorary burgesses. This is popularly known as “presenting the freedom of the city.” The names of such honorary burgesses arO entered in the burgess list or register of municipal electors, but they are not entitled, when not resident in the particular city or town, to exercise the municipal franchise, or be inducted to the town council. Mr Jordan is placed on the roll of a select band of men of mark, and as he says the honour is one to the Dominion as well as to himself.