THE HON. MR SCOTLAND AGAIN.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 10 July 1901, Page 3

THE HON. MR SCOTLAND AGAIN.

A Discussion Regarding Knighthood.

(Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

Wellington, This Day. When the proposal was submitted to the Legislative Council in 1899 in favor of sending the First Contingent to the Transvaal, the sole discordant note was sounded by the Hon. H. Scotland and he stood alone also when the division was taken in that Chamber on the question. The same Hon. gentleman gained further unenviable notoriety yesterday afternoon for his peculiar contribution to the controversy on titular honors. He stated that the Order of St. Michael and St. George had first been conferred on certain brigands who were concerned in the lonian Island, and while he did not wish to speak disrespectfully he thought it would have been better if the order had been confined to the gentlemen of the Mediterranean. James the 11. instituted the Order of Baronets by forcing it on the people in order to fill his exchequer. Titles had been granted on insufficient ground—a baronetcy to a dust contractor, and peerages to whisky distillers and wealthy brewers. That which had been conferred on the speaker of the council added nothing to his claims for their respect The King could make a belted Knight, but could not make a gentleman.

The Hon. George Jones, replying to Mr Scotland's invendors, pointed out that the recipients of recent honors in this colony could not be charged with having well lined purses. It was a case of reward. If the Empire could do anything to show its appreciation of public services, the honor was deserved.

Subsequently Mr Scotland explained that it had been pointed out to him that the Speaker had been created K.B. not C.C.M.G., and he congratulated the recipient and the order.