LLOYD GEORGE ON TITLES.

Western Star, 7 February 1922, Page 4

LLOYD GEORGE ON TITLES.

IIERET;I i.\ RY SYSTEM WRONG

Rcording the death of Mr 11.. L>. Richarclson, M.P., cf Winnipeg, a

ivoil-known newspaper owner, the Canadian Gazette recalls an interesting conversation- which the late member had with Mr Lloyd George on- the subject of hereditary titles. Mr Richafdson was one of a party of Canadian newspaper men who visited England -,111 1918, and at a dinner given by Lord Beaverbrook, then Minioie-r for Information, he.sat next to the Prime Minister.

'\As p the mover of the rn.ciuUon in the Canadian Parliament in the previous session to end all the title? business in the Dominion,-, I was natura44y most interested to know Mr Lloyd; George's view," said Mr Richardson, in. recalling the discussion a little later. $He promptly and emphatically avowed his opposition to hereditary titles. He thought they were wrong in principle v and could not be justified, but he had difficulty in seeing why a title to last during 'the lifetime of the recipient might not be conferred for conspicuous' service performed without harm to the State or the man. Of course, care should be ! taken to confor the honour only in cases of actual distinguished: merit or service. To adopt any other practice was to b*ring tlie practice into ridicule or contempt, a state of affairs that would work its own revenge upon the institution. I

" Anxious to know his present view and pb-sible intention,'' continued Mr Richardson, " I jestingly hinted it might become my duty as a newspaper man to edit a despatch regarding his own entry into the charmed circle. Tie instantly broke out into genuine laii/iiter, and, tapping my ■wrist kindly, he said, 'My friend, you can set .your mindi at rest upon that sooro. It will never become your duty to t;dit any such paragraph about mo. Lloyd George will continue tiij th(j i-nd of the chapter, the name which Ls proudly inherited from his father."