TITLES v. DEMOCRACY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12536, 25 June 1901, Page 4

TITLES v. DEMOCRACY.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —The dictionary-maker backs me up in putting t'he ease as one against the other.—Thus, “Democracy, a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people collectively ” ; “ plutocracy, government by, the wealthy.” Our Liberal legislators never weary of reminding us that they are fighting the people’s cause against privilege and monopoly, and, the irony of it, the plutocrat rewards them, or some of them (democratic leaders) with a title, .which at once earmarks the recipient as privileged to enter the ranks of the high caste and enjoy the delights of society. Mr'. Newlyn has made an appeal through the “Lyttelton Times” that two well-known, more or less, Conservative exM.H.R.’s should receive titles. To show my want of prejudice, I will go one better, and beg to propose that the whole of the present Opposition should be ennobled. They deserve recognition, having gamely fought for privilege and monopoly, and are apparently well able to prevent Liberal legislation from doing much hurt to the high-caste of the people. What the consequences might have been had the socalled huge majority of the Liberals been as determined and merciless as the Conservative condemnation of Radical principles, is too dreadful for contetaplation. Another aspect of democracy not touched upon when titles are to be served out, is that the people are looking for leaders J‘ who are not as other men are.”—l am, etc., S. SIMON.