LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 137, 5 March 1919, Page 6

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

THE TITLE OF HONOURABLE Sir,— May I re-state and amplify the information given in a recent issue by C.H.P.? All members of tho Privy Council are entitled to be called "Right Honourable." All members of Hie Cabinet are sworn of the Privy , Council, and therefore become "Right Honourable." Minor Ministers are not made Privy Councillors, and their previous designations therefore remain absolutely unaltered. The title of "Honourable" in England belongs only to the younger eons of earls and to all the issue of viscounts and barons; also to jrdges of the Supreme Court l)elow the Court of Appeal, as a. part of their legal designation, as thus, tho Hon. Mα , . Justicb, It is permissible for colonial Ministers iind Legislative Councillors (whether of Crown or self-governing colonies) to use the title of "Honourable" Then at Home, if in office or on the active list of a council. But it is inadvisable for them to do so under other conditions, as they would find themselves the object of quiet ridicule. So, too, with a designation one occasionally raid; of in the colonies. I mean Mrs, General So-and-so, cr Mrs. Colonel, or Mrs. Major —. This is distinctly one of the things that are not done at Home, whether the husband be a regular officer, a militiaman, or a territorial. It is sudden death, to any lady who transgresses this ancient unwritten law.—l am, etc.. ENGLISHMAN. March 3, 1919.