TRAFFIC IN TITLES.

Shannon News, 4 May 1923, Page 3

TRAFFIC IN TITLES.

A COMMONWEALTH SUGGESTION,

A suggestion to ..which monwealth Prime Minister promised consideration recently was that before honors are recommended by the Commonwealth Government the names of the persons selected, and the proposed honors to be conferred on them, should be submitted to Parliament for endorsement. These proposals had been suggested, says the “ Melbourne Age,” by the scandalous revelations of trafficking in titles in Great Britain where the Government appointed a committee to make inquiries before any honours were recommended to be conferred by the King. This committee in turn recommended that a committee of the Privy Council (not members of the Government) should scrutinise proposed honor lists, which must show each individual’s service, the reason for the title, and a certificate that' the patronage secretary of the party funds was in no way connected with the recommendation. The committee would then report on each name, and it was further recommended that penalties be imposed on anyone trafficking in honors. This report has been carefully studied by the Commonwealth Government. The manner in which titles and so-called distinctions have been prostituted In recent times has afforded abundant reason for a “ clean up ” and an attempt to restore to these marks of recognition (if they are worth retaining at all) something of their intended value. While no scandalous features have been disclosed in connection with the recommendations from Australia, it has been argued that submission of proposed names to Parliament would greatly enhance the value of the honors. A mark of distinction from the King would then become a hallmark of personal merit and distinguished service as adjudged by one's fellow-countrymen.