HONOURS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3002, 13 February 1917, Page 4

HONOURS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

Tub notification this morning of tho further honours which His "Majesty the Kino has conferred on TS T ew Zealaudors is especially nolcworthy for tho distinction paid to tho Acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. James Allen. Me. Allen, or as he will in future bo known, Sir' James Allen, has been singled out for what is described as "tho highest honour of knighthood which commoners can hope to attain," that of Knight Commander of the Bath, and tho honour has been worthily won. No man in New Zealand, bo ho Ministor or public, official or private, citizen, has dovoted himself more earnestly since tho outbreak of the war to tho task which has fallen to his lot to perform in tho service of 'tho Empire; and few, if any, havo carried a heavier burden of work and anxiety. To his lot fell for a time the excessive strain of tho dual offices of Finance Minister and Minister of Defence'; tho two portfolios which involved the heaviest burdens of responsibility in relation to the war. With the formation of a National Cabinet, Mb. Allen was relieved of the portfolio of finance, but ho has held the offico of Minister of Defence throughout. That he has laid himself open to criticism on occasion was inevitable. We ourselves havo disagreed with his policy and his actions on occasion; but no ono can fail,to recognise the solid success which has in tho main attended his efforts, or tho splendid service he has rendered New Zealand and the Empire. It is fitting that the honour conferred on him should be of a special nature, and ono which wo believe has never before been bestowed in New Zealand. * Tho other knighthood figuring in the list of New Zealand honours on the present occasion, that of Knight Bachelor, bestowed on His Honouh Me. Justice Denniston, is also a recognition which has been worthily won. . Mr. Justice Denniston is the senior occupant of ' tho Supremo Court Bench in point of years of service, and can look back on a long and distinguished legal career. The members of the legal profession will be amongst the first to congratulate him on being singled out for this added distinction.