CHAP. XI] HONOURS 1305
Australia, and the Union, and the Governor of New Zealand,
who are usually peers. The Order of the Michael and George
is also bestowed on members of the Colonial Office, but the
0.B. is frequently granted to them also, and occasionally
the Permanent Under-Secretary has received a peerage on
retirement, a laudable practice.
Recommendations for honours are made by the Secretary
of State for the Colonies in the case of all recommendations
for the membership of the Order of St. Michael and St.
George, and other distinctions for Colonial services.
{ 2. Tur PREFIX ‘ HONOURABLE’
In addition to honours in the form of titles, the use of
the prefix ¢ Honourable ’ has now been definitely regulated.
It is adopted on instructions from the Queen by the Privy
Councillors and by the Senate of Canada, and by established
practice it is borne by the members of the Legislative
Councils! and the Executive Councils in all the self-governing
Dominions. In those cases where membership of the
Executive Council does not cease on retirement from active
office, namely in the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth
of Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, formerly in the case
of the Cape and presumably in the Union, the title is borne
for life. In other cases ex-members of the Executive
Council may, if they have served for three years, or if in
the office of Premier for one year, be granted by special per-
mission of the Crown the right to retain the title after having
ceased to hold office. These titles, which were originally of
local application only, were given validity throughout Her
Majesty’s Dominions by a notice published in the London
Gazette of June 16, 1893, and by a circular dispatch of
November 14, 1896, which laid down that members of the
Legislative Councils of Colonies under responsible govern-
ment might be permitted after not less than ten years’
' Also by the Speaker of the Assembly. The Australian Senators do not
use it.
* The ex-members have precedence as a rule next after members, even
‘f the title * Honourable ® is not continued to them.
