Conservative Paper Suggests Abolishing Hereditary Titles

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 39, 10 January 1949, Page 5

Conservative Paper Suggests Abolishing Hereditary Titles

A surprising suggestion comes from the conservative Daily Express that hereditary titles should be abolished. In an editorial, the newspaper asserts that a title is the method by which the State recognises a man’s outstanding services. “It is his personal reward for effort. It belongs to him, and him only,” it says. “There is no reason whatsoever why the practice of conferring hereditary titles should be permitted to continue. They are indeed frequently damaging to young men who inherit them. They are a disability and drag if they have no means. They are a fatal bar to the highest political offices in the realm. “By now, of course, the Socialists should have decided to abolish hereditary titles. But after th*ey failed to grasp the opportunity, the Tories should seize it. The Tories should show that they have some grasp of the age in which we live. “Here comes another New Year’s honours list with those hereditary titles. No fireworks, no surprises, no politicians kicked upstairs to the Lords.”