“A SOCIAL BURDEN.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15333, 16 June 1910, Page 6

“A SOCIAL BURDEN.”

It may be taken for granted that there is some substantial basis for tho protest of tho “Toronto Globe” against anything in tho nature of a Court being established in connection with tho Duko of Connaught’s assumption of tho position of GovernorGeneral of Canada, and there will bo a wide appreciation of tho protest in the self-governing colonies of tho Empire. We still retain somo of tho forme andi ceremonies attaching to a Court oven in New Zealand, but these arc interpreted in such a liberal spirit that even the Governor’s levees are advertised iu the daily newspapers and may bo attended by anybody who is the proud possessor of a black coat nnd ordinary manners. In fact, to a very great extent such glitter <js surrounds tho position of the Ring’s representative has grown to bo merely the unimportant recognition of precedent, and its valuo is quite a negligible quantity in the social life of the dominion. This is as it should be in a democratic community, where pomp and circumstance oouut for a great deal less than the social bettorment of tho people' and the good government of tho country. It may bo argued that the Duko ol Connaught, on account of his royal descent, is entitled to greater deference than is accorded to representatives of tho Throno of less exalted birth, but there is no precedent for such a distinction between tho occupants of tho vice-regal office. Perhaps tho “Globe’s” estimato that tho establishment of a miniature imitation of the British Court in Canada would be “ a social burden, Tf not a social curse,” is a little extravagant, but thore can be no doubt that tho dominion would be extremely foolish to encourage tho senseless lovo cf display that has done so much to weaken tho moral fibre of society in the Motherland. Apart from their political progressiveness, tho energies O'f tho newer lands are being turned towards the elimination of caste and tho abolition of the frills and fripperies which, while a picturesque heritage from tho past, are quite unsuited to modern conditions. Dignity need not necessarily mean parade, and tho King’s representative may win the esteem and respect of his people far more easily by moving quietly among them than by having his incomings and his outgoings heralded by a fanfare of trumpets and by demanding an outward display of social homage that is distasteful when it is not sycophantic to those who have to make it. Such pretences are entirely oppoGed to the progressive spirit of the ago.