SOUTH AFRICAN PEERAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18131, 1 July 1922, Page 9

SOUTH AFRICAN PEERAGE.

HONOTJE DECLINED. SEQUEL TO CRITICISM, INCIDENT ESTABLISHES RULE By Telegraph—Pr»as Association—Copyright. (Received 7.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Juno 29. Following Parliamentary agitation in connection with the preferment of honours arising principally out of the birthday peerage conferred on the South African, Sir J. B. Robinson, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Birkenhead, read in the House of Lords a letter that Sir J. Robinson wrote to Mr. Lloyd George begging the King's permission to decline the honour. Sir J. Robinson stated that he was surprised at the discussion over his peerage. Ho had not in any way sought the honour. " I am now a very old man,"' he continued, "to whom honours and dignities are not of much concern, and I would be sorry if any conferred upon me were to occasion such ill-feeling as has been manifested." Lord Birkenhead said that the Secretary of State for the Colonies was not consulted regarding Sir J. B. Robinson's case as he should have been in order to exercise his constitutional duty and acquaint himself with the opinion and desire of the Dominion. He added that it was realised that no British citizen, resident or primarily, belonging to a Dominion ought ever to be recommended for an honour in this country except with the assent andapproval of Ms Government.. The House could consider that pronouncement aa an official kaJend which undoubtedly would

be a guide for action in the future.

The Marquis of Lansdowne said that Sir J. B. Robinson had extricated the Government! from an absolutely untenable position.

Lord Strachie called attention to the peerage conferred on Sir William Vestey, and alleged that Sir William Vestey transferred his business to Buenos Aires in order to avoid high English taxation.

Lord Vestey replied that he transferrefl his foreign business to Argentina because of high taxation and American competition, but his English business remained and paid English taxes. It became a question whether he should sell the business' to American competitors or buu*B works in the countries whence Britain imported meat. Before he did so he tried to come to an arrangement with the British Government in order to enable him to compete with Americana on equal terms, but the Government could not suggest a remedy. If this course had not been taken American meat companies would have eliminated their chief competitor.