MR JOHN ROBERTS’ TITLE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9185, 6 January 1891, Page 4

MR JOHN ROBERTS’ TITLE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Dunedin, January 5. The Otago Daily Times to-day has the following article explanatory of the honour bestowed on Mr John Roberts: regret that our article in Saturday's issue, referring to the distinction conferred on Mr John Roberts as president of the Exhibition, imperfectly stated some of the facts regarding the subject. It is not tho case that Mr Roberts practically declined the higher honour of K.C.M.G. as might be inferred from our article, Tho position Mr Roberts took up when consulted on the subject—and that was the proper position, we are sure, everyone will be agreed—was that though he had no personal disinclination to the title, it was not for him, as having occupied a public position, either to make suggestions or allow his private feelings to Influence those who had the right to suggest to tho Queen whether any honour should be conferred upon him in recognition of his pubiio position. He was willing to abide by any decision that those who had the conferring of thehononr choaetocome to. butdeclinedto express any opinion as to what that honour should be. We believe, however, that Mr Roberta’ position of passivity has led to some miaunderstandiog on the part of those who have the giving or recommending of such honours, and hence the bestowal upon him of a distinction so entirely inadequate to the pubiio position he occupied and tho services he rendered. It is a great pity that snob a misunderstanding should have occurred, and we trust that it is not yet too late to remedy what ail people consider to have been, to say the least, an oversight. Certainly the statement of Mr Roberts’ private views should not have led the Home authorities to overlook his pubiio functions and treat the exhibition held to celebrate the jubilee of New Zealand so shabbily, in contrast with the recognition bestowed upon Adelaide and Melbourne celebrations. If there had been any strong personal objection on Mr Roberts’ part to accept a title, his fellow - colonists wonld have passed the matter over as pleasantly as possible, although feeling that ho should have regarded tho pubiio rather than the private aspect of the question. As it is, however, there will be a strong feeling all over the Colony, which has already found expression in Wellington, that New Zealand ought not to be differently treated, in the Imperial recognition of her exhibition, from Victoria and South Australia.’’