s, who are democrats almost to a man, hold the balance of
power in all the principal Parliaments some idea might be formed of the
power that Young Australians would hold when they had asserted
themselves.

Now, supposing such a body had been formed, what would their policy be?

The first on the list would be the appointment of their leaders by
ballot, this over, the more important step would be taken on true
democratic lines to secure their permanency; consequently the first item
of importance would be the guarding against social distinctions in the
shape of knighthoods emanating from Great Britain. This might seem of
trivial importance to such a body, as it might be argued that men of
their opinions would not be the ones to have the refusal of such
distinctions, and yet it would be so, for one has only to look at
every-day life in Australia and to watch what is going on, to be
convinced of the importance of the precautions.

Knighthoods and social distinctions may well be looked on as a curse in
Australia, and it's only the Crown's advisers that really know what a
trump card they hold in having an abundant supply always on hand ready
to be distributed at the slightest notice. Should it enter the minds of
any reader that this casts a reflection on the holders of such
distinctions let it be instantly dismissed, for there are gentlemen of
the first water holding titles, to whom every right thinking person will
admit their claim to the highest distinction the Crown could bestow on
them, for they have helped to build up the Empire and make it what it
now is, and are men whose consciences would allow them to assert that in
accepting the same they only did their duty; but it's not of this class
that anything need be said, it is those who are daily practising
hypocrisy and appearing as philanthropists by bestowing munificent gifts
on institutions, or are agreeable to sell their opinions with the hope
of securing the coveted honours. Take away the titles granted to
politicians, and very few will remain, and as politics has long since
been acknowledged the cheapest way to become knighted, the competition
has become very keen, with the result that influential men with strong
Republican opinions, are offered and accept a title, thereby selling
themselves. There are men who once were acknowledged to be as firm as a
rock in their sentiments, wavering as the coveted curse is dangled in
front of their nose. Intrigues and conspiracie