LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 29, 29 October 1918, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

-+ ; "ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE" Si r, —For some considerable time past I have beon deeply impressed with the idea that we are on the threshold'of a new era, when, to make New Zealand, it not "fit for democracy," at least "a fit democracy"; to redeem our oft-rcpeatod nlcdijcs to those who havo gone down into tenth's dark valley and come up again! to discharge the enormous burden of our war debt; in fact, to clear up war's aftermath and largely to remodel our whole social system, sorely need the harmonious co-operation of _ every social force. To that end punitive or repressive legislation must be Impotent. It is no longer a question of driving the horse to the whter, but what will induce him fo drink. Obviously nets of self-ab-negation, the removal of existing social barriers, voluntary surrender of privileges, the avoidance of petty ambitions and ostentations that beget envy, the suppression of disturbing social influences, unselfish public services, are all useful solvents calculated to create that subtle and intangiblo emanation of the heart—harmonious good will. •In this scheme where shall we find use or place for this new, social distinction, the Order of the British Empire and its gradations? Is not membership of this Order the imprescriptible right and privilege of e.very British-born loyal citizen? no"; to be of any value it must ba exclusive. • If, then, my presentiment that we are almost in the presence of a I great and urgent work of social reform is correct, and if my contention is reasonable, viz., that the dissemination of this new honorific title is really an additional social barrier calculated to militate against the successful progress of that work, is not the monthly meeting of the executive committee of the Wellington War Belief Association, and in the presence of the Press, the proper time, place, and manner for its discussion? Such were the thoughts (duly perpended) that led me about a fortnight ago to give notice of the resolution _ I unsuccessfully endeavoured to move in open meeting at yesterday's meeting of the W.W.E.A. Had I been Jess considerate of the courtesy due to,my .colleagues and nt the time I gave notice had I handed a copy of my resolution to the Press, the results might have been quite different. Mais voila! I did not. In any case I think the dissenting majority, who thwarted my purpose, caused the committee to lose .a great opportunity to aid the work ahead of us, in not making an open and spontaneous pronouncement in the direction I am convinced their judgment now lies. If I am wrong in this surmise il surely Tesemble the obdurate juror who alone agreed with His Honour I How honours and titles affect me personally is perhaps not a matter of public concern, but as I now believe the majority of my colleagues—despite iny protest to the contrary-apprehended some rather serious- breach of the eon-, ventions—as they construe them—you might be good enough to let me state briefly how, hitherto I had them, i.e., titles, roughly sorted in three classes, viz.:

1. Whenever or, wherever I saw ribbon or medal on the breast of a man who had risked his life in his country's cause, I instinctively felt like doffing iny hat to the wearer.

2. When I read or heard of a friend or acquaintance being honoured for some distinctive public service, I congratulated him when I met him. i

3. When Orders of the Garter, Bath, or even the Blessed Saints—when, in fact, to re-tiuote Lord Melbourne, "There' was no d—d nonsense of merit about them" —I shrugged my shoulders in complete indifference. But in the case under consideration, where the very title and tradition of Britons, the common heritage of us all is pre-empted—made a close preserve, as a reward for the few to the exclusion of the many; I say without fear or hesitation, it is an illconsidered and mischievous thing, not in the interest of the common weal, and should bo ended.

I cost Mo reflection whatever on those wlio have received the title: , all of them I know are worthy of the highest esteem of their fellow-citizens; the reflection cast on those who have not received them is none of my doing. Intrust the powers that be, remembering recent happenings in Canada, will take prompt and proper stops to allay the public dissatisfaction, that anyone who goes around with his ears open must know is already deep' and widespread.—l am, etc.,

JOHN HUTCHESON. Wellington, October '25.