NEW CABINET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 8, 7 December 1935, Page 10

NEW CABINET

;the correct titles

WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. Although many people are already addressing the Dominion’s new 'Prime Minister as Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, it may be some time yet before he can enjoy the dignity of that title. Appointment to the Privy Council, which carries with it the title of Right Honourable, is the prerogative of His Majesty the King and on no occasion in the past has any recommendation been made to Buckingham regarding sucli an appointment. When a statesman is called to the Privy Council the man is honoured, not the office lie holds. Every appointment is for life and the title it carries can be removed only on the grounds of treason. In the case of Ministries where, on the face of things, the tenure of office is likel yto be ephemeral, the practice of appointing the Prime Minister to the Privy. Council is arrely followed. There have l>een several instances in New Zealand when Prime Ministers have not been entitled to any greater dignity than Honourable. On© notable exception was provided in the case of Sir Francis Dillon Bell, who was Prime Minister for the period between the deat liof Mr Massey and the return to office of Mr Coates. Sir Francis Bell’s Prime Ministership lasted only for a matter of weeks, but subsequently as a tribute to his service to the country Ip was appointed to the Priw Council. In view of the stability of the new Labour Government, the granting of this honour to Mr Savage is doubtless assured and may l>e expected in the reasonably near future. Meanwhile he and the members of his Cabinet are properly addressed as “Honourable.”