CANADA’S BAN ON TITLES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 590, 16 February 1929, Page 13

CANADA’S BAN ON TITLES

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE RESTORATION NOT WANTED (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Associatioij/ * (United Service) OTTAWA, Thursday. The House of Commons on Thursday defeated by 114 votes to 60 a motion by Mr. C. H. Cahan (Conservative), referring to a committee the question of the sov£l*eign granting titles or other distinctions to civilians. The Prime Minister, Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King, during the debate, said he saw no objection to the motion in the form in which it was moved. The Minister of Railways, the Hon. Charles A. Dunning, said that not one member of the Government fav oured the restoration of titles. It was unthinkable that any committee of the House would recommend restoration; but the main idea was to inquire into removing the anomalies existing. However, since it was apparent this would be interpreted as a move to restore titles, probably it would be better not to pass the motion.

One anomaly, Mr. Dunning said, ‘was that the universities could give honorary degrees of distinction, but the King could not.

Mr. Cahan said he had no personal desire to return to titles, but he thought the message sent to the King in 1919 was embarrassing to his Majesty. Canada was the only civilised country where the Government was unable to grant distinction for meritorious service. He urged that some order of merit or other distinction be created.

In 1919 a House motion requested the King not to grant titles to Canadians except for military distinction.