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Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1158, 20 June 1911, Page 4

A very nicc question is raised by, tho mild clash between Dr. Warren, the Master of Magdalen, and Mn. Andrew Fisher, at the banquet of the British Empire League. Mn. Fisher, it will bo remembered, declined the proferrcd honour of an Oxford degree, and Dr. Warren took occasion to refer to the fact. lie agreed that Burns was right in affirming that "the rank is but tho guinea's stamp," but he added his own opinion that the "guinea stamp" was not to be despised. But is the honorary degree offered by Oxford to the visiting Prime Ministers always a "guinea stamp"? It is a very high and desirable honour when it is conferred on certain men in certain circumstances; but is

there not a possibility that its bestowal may, in some cases, be less a distinction for the recipient than a cheapening of the honour ! Stamped on a copper coin the "guinea stamp'-' ceases to be a guarantee of good gold. The honour, wo must make it clear, is one that in our opinion would in no way be cheapened by its bestowal upon Mit. Fisher, who has shown statesmanlike qualities at tho Conference greatly above the average of colonial Prime Ministers. Mit. Fisher's explanation of his position is a little ambiguous, as given in the cable message, but if it is what wc think it is, it does him very great credit. He "replied that it was not on account of false modesty, but because in his youth he had had other disabilities that be had, asked to bo excused." If wc are to assume that he rebels against the incongruity of a high academic honour with tho actual amount of his learning, we must allow that Mn. Fisheh has an admirable grasp of the fitness of things. Most people will like to think that Mr. Fisher meant "I am not worthy," and since everybody knows that priggishncss and pomposity are things he never learned, his attitude, if wc have not misunderstood it, is one of simple respect for himself and for the honours of the ancient University—an attitude wholly admirable, and an honour in itself.