WHEN THE KING CONFERS HONOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12853, 29 April 1905, Page 6 (Supplement)

WHEN THE KING CONFERS HONOURS.

THE WORK OF PREPARING THE list. There, are three days in the year when the newspapers, however dull the general happenings of the world may be, are invested with more than ordinary interest. (in these days the daily journals alike have one special feature which is eagerly scanned at breakfast tables. Iheso_ie< '• letter days, in the lives of certain subjects of His Majesty at least, are January 1, June.24, and November 9. It is then that tho honours' lists are published— the New Year honours, the honours to maik the official celebration of the Kings . birthday, and tho honours to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday proper. The New Year honours, which have just been announced, form a fitting opportunity to inquire into the special machinery employed in drawing up the list. Compiling" it is not so simple a business as Some people imagine. Often, indeed, the work is most intricate and delicate, aud those concerned in it—for quite a number of officials have a hand in the business heave sighs of relief when the result of their labours is approved by the King, and it is ordered to be published. The one great- anxiety is to give honour to whom honour is due. In . every honours list, there is a- large sprinkling of names with which the man in the street is unfamiliar ; aud were not the occupations of the recipients la ted 'ho would have to ask what they had done to secure distinction. AFTER tears of service. These men are employed in Government departments, in the diplomatic, colonial, and consular services, and receive various honours. They may count on being made C.B. (Companion of the Bath) after having served a number of years as assistant under-secretaries in the Departments of State, or r.s assistant-secretaries in other Government offices. - Promotion in the order comes after they have reached the important positions of permanent un-der-secretaries or secretaries, since these responsible posts are expected to carry •with them certain dignities. Generally the system observed in conferring honours on Government, officials is by rota, that is to sav, by the advancement they make in the service, but this method is sometimes departed .from. Yet. every Government official cannot lie admitted into the various orders, such as the Order of the Bath and the Order of St. Michael and St. George, for the reason that they are limited as to numbers. When, therefore, the King ascended the throne he conceived the idea of recognising the services of the large body of Civil servants by instituting a new order, called the Imperial Service Order (1.5.0.). Bin even the admissions to this are limited, 'ior while there are something like 10,000 Civil servants, only 250 can be appointed to it. A number of appointments are reserved for colonial Civil servants.

In Government, departments the Ministers ia control receive from the permanent «B.der-secretaries ai.i secretaries ' the lists of names of officials recommended for % honours. though the chiefs themselves frequently select men. tor decoration. Those are considered, and then submitted to the King. " A somewhat similar procedure is adopted with regard to naval and military honours. The naval and military departments supply lists of names after consultation with the chiefs of the services. The First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for War are the-, channels -by which these names meet the King's eye. The Colonial and Foreign Office lists are often large. Every official of importance in our colonies and" those employed in the diplomatic service .rely on receiving decorations at some time or other; while our great Eastern dependency, with its teeming millions and its vast administrative machinery, invariably provides its quota of nominations for decoration. To be appointed to, or promoted in. the Order of the Indian Empire or the Older of the Star of India is the reward of high Indian officials and potentates. jiTi , BESTOWED UPON" FOREIGNERS. ' One of the most interesting orders is undoubtedly the Victorian Order, since its Knights Grand Cross (G.C.V.O), its Knights Commanders (K.C.V.0.), and Commanders (C.V.O) are not exclusively composed of British subjects. There is a long list of honorary members, including tome of the leading European princes, distinguished statesmen, admirals, and general whom His Majesty meets on his Continental tours. Tke King, indeed, is personally responsible for many of these appointments. So much for the conferring of honours upon those who are engaged in the Civil Service of the Government, who are in the navy and army, or who are the representatives of the Empire in the colonies or in the capitals of the world. But the part of the list having, perhaps, the most interest for the public at, large is that which sets forth the. honours conferred on private individuals. Distinguished scientists and others whose achievements have won for them renown are sometimes mado K.C.B.*« or are rewarded with peerages, which are also conferred on politicians who have rendered eminent services to their party. In the political list of honours we sometimes see that a big manufacturer and M.P. is given a baronetcy, and often there is much speculation as to what ho has done to deserve it. But, while he may not have displayed "much activity in the House of Commons, he may have been of great service to his party in various other ways. The political honours almost invariably include knighthoods conferred on M.P.'s who have been active supporters of tho Government. The modus operandi for securing these honours is of the simplest character. While M.P.'s are actuated by the desire forward the aims of their party they axe not unmindful of the rewards that should bo given for their - ices. It may fee that their desires in the matter become known to the party chiefs, or that hint* are thrown out to the politicians concerned. The Premier is sounded, and if he considers that the services of the men in question are worthy of recognition lie has 110 hesitation in submitting their names to the King. Wealthy newspaper proprietors, who render signal service to one or other of the great political parties, distinguished journalists who have spent decades of their lives in advocating certain political aims, philanthropists, authors, doctors, and actors also occasionally figure in the honours list. If. the honour to be conferred is a baronetcy careful investigation is made* as 5,.-j whether the recipient, can worthily uphold the title. It is not unusual for commoners who we about to be made baronets to take out. heavy insurance policies so as to ensure that their heirs shall have no monetary anxiety in the matter of upholding the title with dignity Amongst others who receive honours are men who are specialists in various domains of activity. By reason of their reputations tbeae men are sometimes invited to offer high Government officials advice, and not infrequently they ate rewarded with a decoration.