JHAP. XI] HONOURS 1301
must be of much more value than if it is one for matters
lying outside the political world, as, for instance, eminence
in art, in literature, in science, in philanthropy, and so forth.
In 1879 Sir George Grey indignantly attacked the Imperial
Government for granting, without his knowledge or advice,
Knighthoods to two members of the Opposition party of
New Zealand! The members were no doubt worthy of the
honour, but he contended that it was unheard-of for the
Crown to confer honours on Opposition members without the
sanction, and in this case without even the knowledge of the
Premier, the transaction having taken place directly between
the Governor and the recipients of the honours in question.
The Secretary of State replied declining to accept the argu-
ments urged by Sir G. Grey, but it should be noted that in
practice since that time the principle of conferring honours on
the Opposition or on public servants does not appear to have
been adopted except on the advice of the Ministry of the day.
In the matter of making certain appointments to the
Legislative Council of New Zealand by the Atkinson Ministry
before its retirement, Lord Onslow reported that the action,
though strictly in harmony with the British custom, had not
been favourably received in New Zealand, and that it would
not be repeated, and this statement is certainly correct.
But in notifying the conferment of the high honour of
Privy Councillor upon Sir Charles Tupper the Governor-
General on November 11, 1907, expressly informed him that
the honour had been recommended by Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
the Leader of the Government?
In the case of the Commonwealth, difficulties have arisen.
In Canada the provinces fall directly under the control of
' See New Zealand Parl. Pap., 1879, A. 9; 1880, A. 2. Todd, Larlia-
mentary Government,® p. 239, note 1, censured Sir G. Grey. but in this
instance he was substantially right; such a proceeding could not now
occur. The Federation honours were granted in the case of Canada
spontaneously (Pope, i. 331, 332), and the Union honours in South Africa
embraced all parties. Sir O. Mowat’s honour is said to have been spon-
taneous ; Biggar, ii, 601 seq.
* See Parl. Pap. H. L. 1893-4, p. 12; of. Rusden, New Zealand.
iil. 33, n. 3 Canadian Annual Review, 1908, p. 25.
