A Social Rupture.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue XXVI, 29 June 1901, Page 1207

A Social Rupture.

The Royal visit has brought not peace but a sword into our “society.” In this young colonial community the social strata are not always very clearly defined; one merges into the other in most cases, and the lines of division are not prominent. AH' the same there are distinctions, broad distinctions, understoqd if not always openly expressed. Now, Royalty with its receptions has, in a large measure, set at naught these distinctions, and has, as it were, rent the fabric of society asunder at right angles to the established lines of cleavage. The disturbance is not trivial, but very serious, and in the ordinary course of things it may take years before the chasm is closed and the social strata resume their former position. The distinction between those who were invited to the Royal reception at Government House and those who were not threatens to be observed for a long - time to come, more particularly because among the fortunate ones were not a few whose right of admission to the upper circles was denied. Now these are having - their revenge, and will not fail to perpetuate the remembrance of the honour done them. What better passport to social position could one have than a hand around which the Royal fingers have twined themselves, if only for a brief moment? The invited and the non-invited, those who shook hands with the Duke and Duchess and tljose who were denied that privilege—there you have the new classification of onr “society” for some time to come. o o o o o