THE BIRTHDAY HONOURS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2479, 4 June 1915, Page 4

THE BIRTHDAY HONOURS

In view of the serious business which at present occupies tho attention of the Empire, the celebration of the Kino's Birthday yesterday was of a more or less formal character. It was in accordance with the definitely expressed wish of His Majesty that the customary Birthday festivities were not held this year. The occasion has, however, 'been marked by the issue of a list of Birthday honours, the outstanding feature of which is the announcement that Earl Kitchener has been made a Knight of the Garter, one of the highest marks of distinction in the gift of the Grown. The bestowal ol this fresh honour on the Minister uf War may lie taken as an indication of the unabated confidence of His Majesty and the British Government in I,he Empire's most distinguished soldier, and it will meet with general approval in all parts of the Empire. ,Since (he beginning of the ' war no man has had to bear a greater loud of ivspun;,ihility than Lorcn K m;nr;.\-i;i<. lie has played the leading pm in thr west,in n of ih« great. mi, Axiav that Britain bos ever mr-

seised, and nulii recently the task of organising-the supply of munitions also fell lu his Inf. file appearance iif !»■-> name in the Honour List is the Government's reply to the adverse criticism of his Department which has appeared in one or two London papers, as well as a mark of appreciation of his valuable services to the .State, In conferring (lie Order of Knighthood on the 1-Jos. l\ H. IX Bkia. His Majesty has been pleased to honour one who has earned distinction by a long career of public usefulness in many forms, by his outstanding ability as a lawyer, ami br his high personal cliaraei'T. As Mayor of Wellington, as a lueiii'ier of the House of liVpivsenlalivcs, and as a Minister of the Crown, fiin I'hancis Hexkv Dii.i.ox "fii-.u. has shown his willingness to place bis time and talents at the disposal of the public, and lie has gained distinction in each of those spheres of duty. He has proved himself to be a public-spirited citizen, a capable and conscTentious member of Parliament, an able administrator of two important Departments of State, and a conspicuously successful Leader of the Upper House. We. arc sure that citizens of all shades of political opinion will join with us in congratulating him ori the well-merited honour he has received at the hands of His Majesty the King. The award of the Imperial Service Order to Jin. James Mackenzie, Under-Recretarv for Lands, is a suitable recognition of good work by one who has risen to a high place in the Public Service.