TITLES NOT WANTED

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12075, 28 February 1925, Page 6

TITLES NOT WANTED

SOUTH AFRICA’S DECISION ' UNION ASSEMBLY APPROVES PETITION TO THE KING. ALL TITLES INCLUDED. By Telegraph.—Presa Assn.—Copyright Reuter's Telegram. CAPETOWN, February 26. The Assembly, after further discussion, adopted, by 71 votes to 47, the motion for a petition to the King asking him to refrain from conferring titles upon his subjects domiciled in South Africa. .Mr Brown's amendment, that the scope of the petition be limited to ditary titles, following the Canadian precedent, was dropped. During the debate it was both affirmed and denied that the Premier, General Hertzog, .voiced the views of the majority of the British element. The motion was moved by a Labour meroberj strongly supported by General Hertzog, the Premier. He declared it desirable that the House come to an early decision, in view of the Prince of Wales’s visit. He urged that South Africans -were opposed to class distinctions. Titles ■were chiefly given to wealthy men for political support. Sir Thomas Smartl (South African Party) declared that General Hertzog spoke only for a section. There were many Dutch and English who deplored this motion, as a step towards the severance of the sentimental bonds of the Empire. The motion, he contended; was most inopportune, in view of tfib Prince’s visit. South Africa has now gone further than Canada, which expressed its desire that hereditary titles he conferred mi Canadians. New South Wales, also; lias taken a stand against the conferment of titles’ although the Premier of the State may make nominations through the Federal Government.