AMERICA GRIEVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 84, 21 January 1936, Page 5

AMERICA GRIEVES

WHOLE CONTINENT AS ONE. A STRIKING TESTIMONY. ‘DAUGHTER STATE OF ENGLAND.’ (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.30' p.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 20. Profoundly affected by King George’s illness; the peoples of the continent from Hudson Bay to the Rio Grande are giving evidence of an earnest hope for his recovery. Mr Cordell Hull (Secretary of State) to-day instructed the Embassy in London to convey President Roosevelt’s earnest wishes for the Monarch’s return to well-being. Prayers are being said in the churches and schools in Canada and the United States. The Prime Minister of Canada (Mr W. L. MacKenzie King) said: “There is not a church nor a home in ' which the prayers of the people have not been offered for the King and in which, the anxiety of the Queen and other members of. the Royal family have not also been remembered.” . One of the most' striking evidences of American: sympathy is contained in ' a resolution offered the Virginia. State Legislature by the Speaker, in which it is stated “The daughter is not yet separated so far from ‘the. mother ■' as not to learn with the .deepest concern and anxiety of the King’s illness, and we pray earnestly for restoration of Ids' health.” ■

CONSTITUTIONAL STATUS.

RELATIONS TO THE DOMINIONS. SOVEREIGN POWERS AND TATTIES. - .. o •• ■ * '-’<■" r "v: (Received This Day, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. " His Majesty made constitutional history, embracing the whole Empire, this afternoon when supported on pillows 'on which lie was tenderly raised by doctors and nurses, he watched, through tho communicating doors, a brief meeting of the Privy Council, and signed a document “George R”, Constituting Council of State. It' will he recalled that'during his Majesty’s illness in 1928 the Council included the Prime Minister,; the Lord Chancellor, and the Archbishop of Canterburv.

The “Sun-Herald” Service .is informed that there- is ! no precedent for a regency. The Council is composed exclusively of members of the Royal family. It is understood that this is regarded as a corollary, to the succession of recent constitutional changes in. the British'Commonwealth, as a result of Mr Balfour’s 1926 declaration on the Statute of Westminster, that the formation of the Council and its personnel rests solely with his Majesty, who delegated to his family the Sovereign powers to perform certain duties on his behalf, constitutional provision, for which is contained in the fact, that as members of the.. Crown they possess a link with the Dominions similar .to himself. It is pointed;out that .his Majesty is King of each Dominion precisely as he is King of England, equality of status having been 'established between Britain and the Dominions. The Council could not include ministers of the Mother country unless ministers of each Dominion were also appointed. This is obviously: impfacjicable.

His Majesty,, evidently, acting on -the advice of the highest constitutional authorities, limited the Council to his own family, realising, as does the whole nation, that his sons, through experience and sympathetic understanding, of ithe problems of the British peoples, [will adequately discharge all responsijbilities. . ; v j All communications from the King to the Dominions lately have been carried out in accordance to the new constitutional practice, under which the Crown’s link is direct with the Gover-nor-General, omitting the High Commissioners, while the Dominions Office is the only channel for communication as between the Governments. It is understood that the Prime Ministers of Dominions conferred with the Britfish authorities during the Jubilee to [clarify the procedure and meet such an [eventuality as the present. It is bell ieved the position , was then, clearly [defined, though it is stated that the [proceedings were not documented.

QUEEN HAD LITTLE SLEEP. KING SPEAKS TO FAMILY. j A CHEERFUL CHAT. I LONDON, January 19. The Queen has slept for only live hours since the King’s illness took a serious turn yesterday. The King, about whose bed two] screens form an inner and an outer] barrier against draughts, spoke with his family before the departure of the Piince of Wales and the Duke of Yorkj for London, the Prince, speaking with! his father for a few minutes alone. The Queen and her sons later talked downstairs. . ] The Duchess of York several times telephoned to Sandringham. ..J The Duke of Kent went to j his father’s bedroom after his arrival, andj the King chatted cheerfully with him, inquiring after the baby, Piince Edward.