The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated “THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890.) TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1934 New Year Honours

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 450, 2 January 1934, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated “THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890.) TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1934 New Year Honours

AS far as the conferring of knighthoods is concerned the New Year list for New Zealand is disappointing. We find a State servant in the person of a soldier. General Sinclair Burgess, and a prominent banker, Mr. J. 1. Grose, appointed Knights Bachelor. Both ard estimable gentlemen and are to be congratulated, but it is a little difficult to see why they alone should have been selected. Honours are supposed to be bestowed because of outstanding public service. it has been usual for the pommandant of the Military Forces to become a knight at some period of his career, so no doubt in honouring General Burgess precedent has been fol lowed. But in the case of Sir J. T. Grose it is difficult to see his claim for inclusion. Admittedly he was chairman of the Associated Banks and has proved himself to be a worthy citizen and a sound financier. He has managed the affairs of his Bank in a commendable way, but after all Banks are business concerns which exist to make profits for their shareholders. However admirable such service may be it can hardly come into the category of outstanding public service. There are others in the Dominion at least equally worthy of the honour. An outstanding name that: comes to mind is Mr. Frank Milner, C.M.G., surely New Zealand’s most successful unofficial ambassador and New Zealand's leadino educationalist. Then there is the Governor of Rotary in New Zealand, Mr T. C. List, of New Plymouth, who has rendered outstanding public service both here and overseas. But the most glaring omission of all is the name of Dr. Doris Gordon, of Stratford, who has clone such fine work in connection with the establishment of the Chair of Obstetrics, and who has thus found a means of preserving the lives of thousands of mothers. Apparently the saving of the lives of mothers is not such an outstanding public ser vice as sound administration on behalf of Bank shareholders. Those are but three names of many that could be mentioned, but it is useless to labour the point further.