KINGSFORD SMITH.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18166, 3 November 1930, Page 7

KINGSFORD SMITH.

WILL HE BE KNIGHTED? ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT. The attitude -of Federal Ministers suggests that if Kingsford Smith is to be knighted the honour will have to be bestowed on the recommendation of the Imperial authorities (says a Sydney paper)-. (Senator Daly): “Knighthoods are honours that are conferred by His Majesty, and I 'am not prepared to discuss any question which, under the Constitution, is a matter between the King and his advisers." The Minister for Health and Repatriation (Mr Anstey), with a twinkle in his eye and a big cigar in his mouth, was inclined to be cynical. “We should not degrade Kingsford Smith—a big man in every sense of the word—by offering him a mere knighthood,” he said. “If a title is to be bestowed nothing less than an earldom or a dukedom would meet the case; or perhaps we could make him a prince of the air.” Order of Southern Cross. Mr Anstey’s attention was directed to a suggestion that, if the Federal Government established a purely national chivalric order, as the Order of the Southern Gross, and made Kingsford Smith the first recipient of such an honour, it would meet Labour’s objection to knight- 1 hoods or 'the bestowal of other titular rank. Mr Anstey merely blew a cloud of cigar smoke into the air‘and smiled. He was asked if he were opposed to, honours in any form. “No;” he said, with a note of earnestness, “I believe in bestowing great honours 'on great men. But there is a difference between bestowing distinctive honours on really distinctive men and the bestowal of ordinary titles. Kingsford Smith is too big for a knighthood.” Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith were knighted for having, pioneered the England-Australian' airway. Captain J. Alcock and Lieutenant A. W. Brown were knighted for their Atlantic flight. Cobham also received the accolade. Lindbergh had bestowed ori him the most prized honour within the keeping of the American Republic —the title of “Colonel.” Kingsford Smith has eclipsed the records of all these men, but the' Federal Government appears determined not to depart from its set policy with regard to honours. Fenton’s Tribute. Interviewed in Melbourne, the Acting Prime Minister (Mr Fenton) said: “Unquestionably he is a marvel. He is indeed King of the Air." The question of a knighthood, however, was more appropriately one to be discussed by the Prime Minister, he pointed out. He agreed that Kingsford Smith was entitled, to every honour for his exploits in the latest sphere of transport. Expressing regret at the bad luck experienced by Flight Lieutenant Hill, Mr Fenton said: “Kingsford Smith displayed a fine spirit of sportsmanship in the generous way in which he went down to inquire after Hill. It would have been splendid had these two daring airmen been able to land at Darwin within a few hours of each other.” Air Commodore. Federal Ministers in Canberra fought shy of discussing the possibility of a knighthood. The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Blekeley) and the Acting" Treasurer (Mr Lyons), although loud in their praise of Kingsford Smith's wonderful flight, said the matter rested with the Minister for Defence (Mr Green). Unless strong pressure is brought to bear, it is generally believed that no, knighthood will he conferred, but that the aviator will be promoted to the rank of Air Commodore.