THE MONEY POWER

Maoriland Worker, Volume 13, Issue 2, 10 January 1923, Page 1

THE MONEY POWER

Gew-Gaws for Bankers—Cement CL* * i « U I» oHimiiisf nonQiiFC(L'

Another evidence of the power of money over the Government of New Zealand was given last week in "The New Year's li Honours " list. Two bankers were knighted by the King, who, we readj was '' graciously pleased " to bestow this sign of his-favour upon them. One of these gentlemen was Mr. Harold Beauchamp., up till recently chairman of the Bank.of New Zealand directorate. He was made a Knight' Bachelor, presumably for brilliant services rendered to our suffering nation. .>•■ What these services were were not set forth iv the newspapers making the announcement, but from an editorial footnote to a clitic's letter in the Wellington " Post " we gather that they were (gallantly, no doubt) performed during the war. Sir Harold's honour is therefore a little belated. We dare say from the point of view of ability Mr. Beauchaiup deserves all that His Majesty's gracious pleasure is wor*-'h. For while the Government was making what might be called a. " capital levy ;> on. the lives, limbs, eyes, blood, find bones of the workers of this Dominion to make the world safe for denmvraey, he was showing us how to inercasc-his bank's profits and dividends,' and doing it x'evy well. This is worth a knighthood surely, but if doubts still exist as to his merits, they should be dispersed by', remembrance of the fact that when the seamen struck Mr. 1 Beauchamp roared*'"' wages must come down," and so qualified for a title beyond all possible dubiety whatever. I*

Mr. George Elliot, 0.8. E., who stepped into Mr. Beauchamp *s shoes when the latter tossed in the Bank of New Zealand chair-' man ship, has also heen made a Knight Bachelor. We seem, to' rein ember this gentleman in connection with cement. He was aI party to an agreement by which the Cement Combine " went: slow " to " restrict output," shut down one works, and sacked' over a hundred workers, when, housing was tragically short. A' great national service! , - . .