1306 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION [PART V
service to retain for life the title of ‘ Honourable’ on retire-
ment, if recommended for this distinction by the Governor.
In the Canadian provinces the Executive Councillors, Presi-
dent of the Legislative Council, and Speaker of the Assembly
bear the title, but only for their period of office.
In the case of judges on retirement it was decided by the
Secretary of State by dispatches of August 29, 1877, and
October 31, 18782 to permit them to retain the title of
Honourable’ within the Colony with precedence next after
the judges of the Courts from which they had retired. This
Jecision evoked from Sir George Grey 3 another violent
protest, and he argued that it was improper that the Crown
should confer a distinction to be borne within a Colony only.
The Secretary of State declined to admit this contention,
and it was not until 1911 that the practice of recognizing the
title throughout the Empire was adopted.? Moreover, when
the title * Honourable > was conferred on all the members of
the first Parliament of the Commonwealth as a signal mark
of the exceptional character of the institution of the Common-
wealth, it was expressly laid down by the dispatch of
March 23, 1904, that it should be confined within the limits
of the Commonwealth itself, a decision which has caused
some dissatisfaction among those entitled to the use
locally.5
* The President of the Council and the Speaker of the Assembly may
retain it after three years’ service on the recommendation of the Governor
onder a dispatch of March 10, 1894. See for all this South Australia Parl,
Pap., 1910, No. 54, p. 61. In the Canadian Provinces those entitled to it
are given it on retirement by courtesy : see Canadian Annual Review. 1905.
p. 185.
! Victoria Legislative Assembly Journals, 1877-8, App. B, No. 10;
Canada Statutes, 1879, p. xli.
* New Zealand Parl. Pap., 1878, A. 1, pp. 15-18.
* Thid., 1910, A. 2, p. 74.
* Commonwealth Parl, Pap., 1904, No. 21. In 1911, when Union in
South Africa had extinguished many provincial honours, special permis-
sion to retain the title ‘ Honourable ® was given to various persons by the
King on January 1. Honours are now conferred twice yearly, January 1
and June 3. It is the established practice in Canada for the Judges of the
Supreme Court to be styled ¢ his Lordship ’ in official documents.
