AN UNWANTED TITLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 460, 29 December 1930, Page 11

AN UNWANTED TITLE

LADY PASSFIELD’S CHOICE. STILL “AIRS SIDNEY WEBB.” _ LONDON, Nov. 14. On several occasions lately in official social lists one has been interested to notice among the guests present the “Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Lady Bassfield,” or “Lord and Lady Passfield.” One naturally thought that Airs Sidney Webb had at length decided to share her husband’s title—the more so, indeed, as “Lord and Lady Passfield” were among the guest's at a luncheon given at 10, Downing Street, by the Prime Minister and Miss AlacDonald. As “the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Lady Passfield,” their names appeared as those who had the honour of being invited to Their Majesties’ afternoon party at Buckingham Palace on October 29. The Evening Standard remarked, under the heading “An Unwanted Title”: —“It looks as though Airs Sidney Webb will have to give in to the reflection of her husband’s title. I was not surprised to find that the Court circular described her as ‘Lady Passfield’ when she dined with the Prince of Wales, but to-day it is reported that ‘Lady Passfield’ yesterday lunched with the Prime Minister. This looks more like capitulation.” Not so, however, for Lady Passfield writes to the Daily Mail, settling the point:—“Jn reply to your courteous inquiry whether I wish to be called Afrs Sidney Webb or Lady Passfield, the answer is that I prefer to be known by my long-accustomed name— Airs Sidney Webb, and I am so called by all my friends and associates. But I have no right to claim acquiescence from those who have no desire and are under no obligation to meet my wishes.—Beatrice Webb.”