The Sun 42 WYNDMAM STREET AUCKLAND TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1930 HONOURS—AND A GIFT OR TWO

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 988, 3 June 1930, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDMAM STREET AUCKLAND TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1930 HONOURS—AND A GIFT OR TWO

QUITE a number of citizens at dawn today got out of bed unconscionably early in order to grab their morning paper and scan the New Zealand list of titular honours which mark the King’s birthday anniversary. Most of them had anticipated a thrill of surprise and rather more than ordinary pleasure. All had to be content with that satisfaction which is only a little better than disappointment. They saw at once that the short list of honours and a gift or two merely followed the overworked traditional political character of such rewards in this Dominion where knighthoods and companionships are becoming’ as common as the blackberry. Indeed, it lias been made crystal clear in the latest titular foursome that liis (Majesty’s administrative advisers here had remembered their friends—a Scriptural virtue in itself when not abused; also, that in remembering and rewarding loyal friendship and service, the King’s Ministers had done the thing handsomely. The High Commissioner, for example, has had conferred upon him a high standard of knighthood, which should make his expansive smile more attractive than ever. It would be a delight to meet liim today in the Strand with a June rose in his morning coat and such an air about his brisk, happy bearing as might well countervail the depressing effects of the Prime Minister’s Budgetary gloom. Sir Thomas Wilford is a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. No one will begrudge him this high honour. In thirty years of clever Parliamentary and other national service the former member for Hutt, K.C., and now also K.C.M.G., not only did good work, but was one of the most brilliant political entertainers. In his latest circle of activity Sir Thomas is exercising with advantage to this country his outstanding ability as its chief representative in the Empire’s capital. The lesser knight of New Zealand’s twain on this occasion is Sir Alfred Bankart, Kt.B. Politically, the Auckland Knight Bachelor also has been a good and a faithful Liberal. But since honours are not supposed to be entangled with politics, let it be said without qualification that, apart from that, he has rendered excellent service to his City, having been associated for many years with some of its best enterprises. As a business man and successful financier Sir Alfred was able to serve as a perfect honorary treasurer of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association, and the efficient manner in which he guarded and guided the investment of the huge sum of public money subscribed for the erection of the War Memorial Museum was more than praiseworthy. This is proved by the conferment of a title upon him. It should not be forgotten, however, that other representative public men, to say nothing about the generous people, also deserve credit for placing a noble shrine and memorial crown on the crest of Auckland’s beautiful Domain. As regards the two minor honours conferred on Mr. Robert Albert Anderson, managing director of J. G. Ward Company, Limited, of Invercargill, and Mr. Paul Desire Nestor Yerschaffelt, Public Service Commissioner, there is little to be said about them. Wliat could be said in their favour or otherwise? These rewards somehow happen, and the people may say anything they like. Beyond doubt “Bob” Anderson is as well known in Invercargill as the Polar wind that blows along Dee Street in midwinter, and probably that community will be able to appraise the reward conferred upon him. But is it not rather an anti-climax to the rumour that perhaps a barony or something almost as good might be expected for Mr. Anderson’s principal in business? Also, outside the scope of challenge, Mr. Yerschaffelt has earned a reward, although many people may be tempted to think that public servants should do their duty as a matter of course, free of the prospect of special distinction. It is to be regretted that his Majesty had not been advised as to the splendid national work several citizens of New Zealand are doing and have done for years. Do politicians realise the excellent service that lias been rendered, for example, by Mr. Elsdon Best, the greatest living authority on Maori lore? He is the “whitest Maori,” as it might be said, of them all. And Mr. Alfred Hill, whose compositions of music are better known and appreciated abroad than in liis own country, should not for ever be forgotten. What are our women doing? Is there not one in all the Dominion entitled to be known as a Dame?

PIN-PRICKS FOR VISITORS

ALTHOUGH the world has been at peace for twelve years, wartime restrictions continue to be imposed upon every visitor who arrives in New Zealand. Attention has been called to this unnecessary state of affairs by a French subject who lias been touring the Dominion. Smarting under the pin-pricking of officials who are obliged to carry out arbitrary and obsolete regulations, lie delivered a succinct warning: “The more formality you have the more isolated yon will be.” His protest is merely one of many that have been voiced in recent years. Visitors from overseas, almost without exception, are surprised and embarrassed by the formalities at every New Zealand port—formalities that are all the more irksome to ’tourists and business people alike because of the obvious absurdity of some and the stubborn harshness of others. It is not to be imagined, of course, that this criticism embraces the medical examination or the restriction on alien immigration, both of which are highly necessary. On the contrary it would be beneficial to the Dominion if much of the time now occupied in determining the loyalty of holiday-makers and business men were utilised in making closer investigation into the desirability, or otherwise, of many alien immigrants. Several of the complaints made by the French visitor in an interview published yesterday in The Sun may be disregarded, for an indignant man is inclined to be captions. Nevertheless, it is not to the credit of New Zealand that he and others, including many travellers of wide experience, have just cause for annoyance. The tax of £lO demanded by the Government from all foreigners is not the least of the pin-pricks, and the unreasonable nature of this precaution or extortion can be realised when the amount is compared with France’s 10s for first-class passengers and less for those in more moderate circumstances. The form of oatli to which every passenger must subscribe is a further example of the department’s failure to adapt itself to changed conditions of travel, trade and international relations. The pathos of tlie position from New Zealand’s point of view lies in the fact that, once again, it is a case of one Government department being pitted against another. Year in and year out the Tourist Department, handicapped by lack of sufficient funds, competes with the fully-exploited beauty spots of the world in attracting visitors to this country, only to see the goodwill engendered by its efforts partly destroyed before tourists set foot on shore. The situation cries for remedy and there is ample material for frank discussion between Ili Hon J B. Donald and the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle. In the hands of those Ministers the remedy lies.