PREMIERS AND PRECEDENCE Pride of Place at the Coronation.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 84, 8 February 1902, Page 8

PREMIERS AND PRECEDENCE Pride of Place at the Coronation.

ONE of the chief reasons why federation is not the success it should be appears to be that the State Premiers of Australia will not be able to get a front seat and pride of place at the Coronation. King Dick, the legislative herd of an isolated colony, which did not see fit to become a marine suburb of the Island Continent, is actually to precede the gentlemen whose individuality has been merged m that of the Commonwealth Premier. Premier See of New South Wales seems to bt greatly mortified over the fact that our Dick is deemed to bo a better man than himself in the loyal eye. and cables about his attitude are of course, likely to add dignity to his position, and enhance his claims to distinction when the King hears all about it * • • Viewed fiom the ordinary outsideis standpoint — and to view it dispassionately one must be without the least chance of being the guest of the King, or of seeing the Coronation as a free show — this bickering is just a trifle paltry Why do not the State Premiers of Canada make a fuss about their rights? Probably, because the federation of that country is ancient enough for them to realise that they will be sufficiently honoured in the invitation to the Dominion Premier * * » The fact is, that the Australian State Premiers, or some of them, have not quite got used to being the "under dog." to use a vulgarism, and are, perhaps, a trifle sorry that King Dick is not the junior Premier of a State, who could take his orders from the Premier of the Commonwealth. Quite apart from all question of rank, Mr Seddon 's bold initiative and manful stand and Avork for the Empire is probably what is inducing the King to make special recognition of his> services * * • That Mr Seddon can be dignified and discreet is evidenced by the fact that he is not saying that he has as much claim to royal recognition as any other Premier m the Pacific He just leaves King Edward to do that. That Mr Seddon will figure largely at the Coronation, none will gainsay. That he deserves to> do so more than any State Premier is only his desert, and that his visit will increase the piestige of New Zealand all will hope * • • The question of precedence has probably been raised in a fit of pique on the other side " The State Premiers of course, have their remedy. They may stay at home. If, in that democratic country of Australia, the men elected to the highest positions are not proof against a rather absurd vanity, their democracy is to be pitied Doubtless, the State Premiers of Australia will understand the rules of precedence better when their Federal system is a bit older, and doubtless, too, when King Edward wishes to recognise some special act of Mr See's, or of any other State Premier, he will invite him to London as a guest In the meantime, federated Australia will receive all adequate honours m the person of Premier Barton