GOLDEN MACE FOR COUNCIL OF STATE
Hon'ble Maharajadhiraja Sir Kameshwara Singh,K.C.I.E., of Darbhanga, member of the Councilof State generously gifted a Gold Mace made by the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co.,London (they were responsible for the Maces now in use in the House of Commons of the Dominion of Canada and the House of Representatives of New Zealand) on Monday the 3rd April,1939 ,This golden Mace is an exact copy of the silver gilt Mace used in the House of Lords which is placed on the table before the Chair of the Lord Chancellor in the House of Lords. It is worthy to mention here that in England Mace were introduced by Richards I. In the House of Commons the Mace is said to have been introduced in 1649. In the House of Lords there are two Maces, the earliest dating from the reign of William III. The Council of State stands in the same position as the House of Lords.
Presentation of a Mace to the Council of State as a token of his high regard for the House. Mace add to the dignity of the House as being the Second Legislature in the British Empire..Mace is a majestic emblem of power and authority.The Mace was orginally a weapon of offence capable to braking through the strongest armour .It was an emblem of the rights and prerogatives of the House.To those who were struggling for freedom the Mace signified much more than the power and prestige of the House . Mace symbolise the true spirit of democracy.It was an emblem of the supermacy of right over might.
Mace had been collected by Imperial Airways from the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company and despactched by the Air Mail leaving 17th August,1938 to Sir Kameshwar Singh at the Palace, Darbhanga. The Mace had been insured for a sum of 375 ponds, to cover all risks including war,strikes and malicious damage .
The Maharaja of Darbhanga in making the presentation said;- " Mr. President, I beg . in all humility to request you to accept this Mace for the Council of State as a token of my high esteem for the House and yourself, its first non-official President. The House of Darbhanga has been represented in this House ever since it has been established and I can claim that I have been familiar with its atmosphere for much longer period than since it has been my privilege to have a seat in this House. It has already earned its reputation for sobriety and soundness, and notwithstanding its limitations has amply justified its existence. Now that second chambers have been established in several provinces the character,dignity and conduct of this House are bound to influence them and I am sure it will leave a rich legacy to its successors when the federal part of the constitution comes into operation. Whatever the critics may say , federalism and bicameralism go together, and if we dispassionately look at the second chambers functioning throughout the world we will notice that no State, irrespective of its form and government, whether federal or unitary, monarchical or republican, presidential or parliamentary,constitutionally flexible or constitutionally rigid ,is willing to dispense with second chamber. Each country has evolved it to suit its own conditions. Federated India will do the same and I trust that in doing so it will look back upon the high tradition by this House with pleasure and pride.
"The Mace is the symbol of authority and I always felt that this outward mark of power, dignity and respect for procedure should be present in the oldest second chamber in this country. I therefore heartily welcome the proposal which you made to me in March last about presenting one to this House.. It is again largely due to the valuable help and guidance I have received from you that I am able to perform this ceremony today. You were kind enough not only to obtain the permission of His Excellency the Viceroy for the presentation of this Mace and through His Excellency that of His Imperial Majesty The King- Emperor for getting it made after the Mace used in the House of Lords, but also to take a keen interest in getting it perfectly made.For all this I am deeply beholden to you. But , if I may say so, apart from these, what may be called personal consideration, I have found in you a President who has played a very important part in maintaining, nay raising, the respect for the House in the hearts of all concerned and has earned for himself a name for impartiality, justice and courtesy. I am therefore particularly happy to ind you here to accept it.
" On an occasion like this I feel that I shall be failing in my duty if I do not express my heartfelt gratitude to His Imperial Majesty and His Excellency for the favours shown by them, and to Sir Howard d'Egville, the distinguished Secretary of the Empire Parliamentary Association, London, for supervising the making of the Mace and assisting the makers in getting access to St. Stephen's.
" In praying that this humble gift of mine be accepted I hope that it will receive the same respect which Maces in other Houses of Parliament receive."
-" The Statesman,"Delhi,Tuesday, 5th April, 1939.
