BARONET'S TRADE UNION

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8293, 23 September 1903, Page 1

BARONET'S TRADE UNION

What might aptly be called a Baronets' Protection Association has just been formed at Home. It. bc-ars the title of the Standing Council of the Baronetage, its purpose being summed up in the wording of a- circular which lias just been issued to persons eligible for membership. In this circular—which takes the form of an invitation to join, and which is signed by eighteen Baronets, including Sir James de -Hoghton, Sir William Vincent, Sir John Heron-Maxwell, and Sir John [Dorrington—the signatories say : "We hardly think it necessary to say that it is indispensable to the honor and well-being of any degree of hereditary dignity that it should possess a permanent central organisation to deal with all matters affecting its interests. The proposition is surely self-evi-dent."

"All other degrees and orders -in this country," continues the circular, "are officially organised. In the small community of Malta the persons bearing hereditary titles have a- permanent committee and a committee of privileges, both recognised by his Government, rhe use ;to the Baronetage of even an accidental organisawas made evident on the occasion of the late coronation and thanksgiving- service, when thi» degree was not only saved from being totally ignored as such by the official committee fo-r the coronation on the plea that it had established no claim to representation, buE, by vigorous action on the part of the accidental organisation, a valuable precedent was made, if not really historically renewed in the invitations gained. The new council, if powerfully supported, must necessarily become a powerful instrument. At the present moment the King and his advisers are considering the Baronets' petition, presented last year, of which a copy shall be sent you, if you so desire. When his Majesty's pleasure shall become known, this will help to shape the action of the Standing Council and it will be desirable to meet m general assembly in order to decide on its future work." '.Memberships, costing two guineas yearly, are open to (a) Baronets in lawful jiosscssion of that title, (b) their wives, (c) the widows of deceased lawful baronets, while associates, paying a subscription of a guinea, will be recruited frorii (a) neirs apparent, or presumptive, to a lawful baronetcy, (b) soils and daughters of a lawful baronet, (c) honorary officers of the Standing Council for the time being. Intending members and associates ai-e quito seriously informed that those "elected after August 1 m any year will only pay half of that year's subscription." and that "there is power to lower the rate in the event of a large influx oi subscribers."