NEW YEAR HONORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1916, Page 4

NEW YEAR HONORS.

There b always a vert&in amount of interest created by the publication of the list of honors bestowed by the King in recognition of services to the Empire, This year it was doubtless expected that tlie number of recipients would, in consequence of war services, have been exceptionally large, and some disappointment may be felt that several of those who have done splendid work are not found among those receiving a special mark of their Sovereign's favor. It does not at all follow that these distinguished soldiers and sailors have been overlooked or not considered worthy. Their time will come in due course and they will lose nothing by the delay. It is pleasing to note that the Dominions have not been overlooked and that New Zealand's High Commisisoner should have been created a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Mvohael and St. George. In normal times there might have been adverse comments by the advanced Liberals on one of their leaders occupying a title, for as yet the outcry in some quarters on Sir Joseph Ward receiving a baronetcy haß not been forgotten. The times at present are abnormal, and it is only reasonable to assume that King George desired to honor New Zealand, through her High Commissioner, for the magnificent patriotism and loyalty shown to the Empire. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, moreover, had jjfistiy earned the. honor he has received. Vie is essentially a man of action and untiring energy, and he has made an excellent representative of his country while carrying out the duties of his office, and even his political opponents readily admit this. Equally appropriate, though somewhat tardy, is the ta'towal of a Companionship of the same Order on Mr. C. F. Wray Palliser, secretary to the High Commissioner, who has consistently done his best to advance the Dominion's interests in every way. The knighthood conferred on Vice-Admiral Patey, commander-in-chief 0 f the Australian fleet, is another well deserved honor, as well as a recognition of the services of the Australian fleet. Vne only military lionor in the list is the peerage conferred 011 Sir John French, who now assumes the appropriate title of Viscount French of Ypres. The peerage conferred on Sir Thomas Shanghnessv is also most deserving, for he has performed most valuable service to the Empire by placing the entire resources of the Canadian Panfie,Kailway workshops at the disposal of the British authorities for the manufacture of munitions so urgently needed. Possibly some surprise may be felt at Mr. William Astor receiving a peerage, as it is generally taken for granted that Americans regard dollars in higher estimation than titles. Mr. Astor, however, is a naturalised Britisher, and the honor he lias received is presumably by way of recognition of his great philanthropic work in England. The other honors have been conferred on specially representative men, and it is particularly pleasing to note that Labor lias not been overlooked. Australia has received a fair s-liarc of honors, and on the whole the list should be regarded with approval. At the close of the war we shall naturally expect that many who are now well deserving of their Sovereign's favor will find that their services will be appropriately rewarded.