AWARD OF HONOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18345, 10 March 1923, Page 8

AWARD OF HONOURS.

Considerable time has now elapsed since there was held in the Imperial Parliament a heated and recriminatory debate on the method pursued in the award of honours and titles. A Royal Commission of inquiry was held, its report being published at the end of last year. It is evident that the matter is not to rest there, for Lord Curzon has told the House of Lords that the recommendations will be given legislative effect. The Commission found, in substance, that it was only in the case of honours awarded for political services that action was necessary. It had been alleged that payments to the party funds had often been the deciding factor in these. It was also declared that certain persons had suggested to suitable subjects that a title could be -obtained in return for a specified money payment. The recommendations were that a committee of three Privy Councillors should be appointed by the Government to act for the whole of its tenure of office. The committee should be informed of the names of those the Government nroposed to recommend for distinction Details should be given of the services inspiring their selection. There should be an assurance that no payment, actual or contemplated, to any party or political fund had had any thin to do with the recommendation, while the name of the person suggesting each person for inclusion in the list was required to be given. The committee was then to report on the desirability of a recommendation in each case. If the Prime Minister, going over the heads of the committee, made a recommendation, the King must be informed of the report of the committee. Finally, it was ursred thnt it should be made a penal offence for "touts" to offer to secure an honour in return for nayment. It is evidently to give effect to the last clause that the legislation is contemplated. Such a committee as that recommended was appointed forthwith in time to consider the last New Year honours list.