SIR JOHN FINDLAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10407, 30 August 1911, Page 5

SIR JOHN FINDLAY.

AND HIS TITLE.

CONGRATULATIONS AND CRITICISM.

By Telegraph — Press Association.

WELLINGTON, Last Night.

Ini USe Legislative council this afternoon, the Hon. J. MoGowaa offered congratulations to the Attor-ney-Generali on the honour conferred on> him, and said he was certain. Sir J. Fiiudlay would do honour to himself and the title. The Hon. Sinclair, who also congratulated Sir John, took the title conferred' .upon. Man as an honour to the Council. The. title had been conferred for good work nobly done by Sir J. Findlay. He highly eulogised Sir J. Findlay's leadership of the Council, and expressed the hop© that he would long be spared to bear his honours. The Hon. Jenkinson, referring to the mattar of titles, adhered to Ms previous statement that some of the honours, bestowed on New Zealanders had not ibeeai deserved.Where a title was given to a citizen of the Dominion it .should be after long and faithful service. Whilst agreeing that Sir J. Findlay had dome good work, he averred, that in. the bestowal of honours work had to be taken by comparison, and in Ms opinion, (compared with the work done by other polarticiansi, the title, had not ibeern ifully earned. He hoped the acceptance of the title would not prejudice Sir John Findlay dm the eyes of the Democracy.: He concluded by congraitulating Sir John, upon the title ■ conferred. The Hon. : Jones contended that work such as Sir John. Fuindlay's de.served recognition at the hands of His Majesty, for no mam had ever won a place in the hearts of <bha people .more honestly than. Sir John. He was the man whom they delighted to honour.

The Horns. Beeham, Loughnaai and. Samuel added congratulations. The Hon.. Paul welcomed the hon. gentleman back. He would mot say anything about the title, for he was one Who did mot ibelieve in titles, j but he 'did not believe the taoaeptianoe of (the title would affect the good work of Sir John., whose work in the past had been for the advantage of the democracy. 1 The Horns. Wi Pere, Luke land Allan spoke in, appreciation of Sir J. Fdmdlay. The Hon. J. Bigg said his objection, to titles were based .upon principles. He failed to see that the title conferred upon am. individual / was an hono.ur conferred upon ;fche country. He, however, joined heaTitily .with .others in. welcoming Sir John, tack to the country. The Hans. McCardle, Ansltey, MalJjer and Mills all .spoke eulogisincaDy of Sir J. Findlay, amd congratulated him on. the honoiur. Sir John Findlay, in reply, said he felt isome difficulty in. speaking as freely as he would like because of the opinion, expneased by (members. Those opinions he valued' because the best test of a mam was the opinion of those who were working with him. "What had been said was gratifying to has heart, amd ami effectual aranour to his critics. He thoughifc he could say he had never feEt the path of lectdtude dn. publio or private life, and he could afford to disregard: the hard things said of Mm dm his absence. He, however, strongly .condemned that class of criticism which aittributed-eviil motives. That sort of oritdcSsm often fed to the eviilis 'M publio life being disregarded. If New Zealand journals persistently amd .wiOifuiEy mdsffeported and distorted public men, they would cease to be .sentinels of publio purity. He had foeem mad© a siubject of criticism which (had not been honourable. As to the title., it was no very great imatter one way or the other. He did think it might have been some homour to the. leader of the Chamber, and that men who came after him, having done some work, might getjsome definite recognition. 'Referring to the Hon. Jenkdnson's remarks, he said Mr Jenkinjaoni had been amongst hisi most useful friends, and he never admired the hon. gentliemaiii more thai* when his candour led him against himself. If he had mot earned the. title, he hoped that before his career was over he would hare earned it. Sir J. iFindlay went on to say that during, the five years he 'had 'been in the Council he had worked with groat pleasure, and without an eye to reward, and the years he • had spent • amongst them would be held in, affectionate (remembrance. In his derision to. retire, he had been, actuated by various motives. There was a great .work to be done, in the Council, hut he felt he could do better work in another, .sphere for (the country, which had done so much for him', for he owed this counltay all he had^— everything he had got.