The Precedence Question.

White Ribbon, Volume 9, Issue 98, 1 July 1903, Page 7

The Precedence Question.

We do not suppose many of our readers care whether, in his individual capacity, Sir Robert Stout walks be-

hind Mr Seddon or Mr Seddon walks behind Sir Robert Stout. In this democratic country we prefer to discard as much as possible forms that have become empty anu meaningless. Still it there must be an authoritative order of precedence there can be little doubt that the chief officers of the law should rank before men who hold mini-terial office. Ministers are often creatures of a day and merely represent the strongest of two or more conflicting parties. But the Chief Justice is the principal representative of the democratic standard of right, and is entitled, in his official capacity, to the highest honour that can be paid. For some mysterious reason the Premier has endeavoured to bring about a change in the table of precedence that places the Chief Justice in an inferior position. This is unseemly and we trust that Parliament will educate Mr Seddon on the matter.