Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1936. THE EMPIRE’S THANKFULNESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 236, 18 July 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1936. THE EMPIRE’S THANKFULNESS.

The shock with which the first news of the menace to the King was received, and the relief and thankfulness with which the people learned that His Majesty was unharmed was as great in Ashburton as in any other part of the Empire. The act that aroused indignation throughout the King’s realm was happily not instigated by any disaffected subjects, but was that of a man mentally unbalanced by reason of a grievance against one of the Ministers. It therefore loses sinister significance, but it just as clearly shows the perils that surround sovereigns, even the best beloved. Of all the monarchs of Britain none has been held in greater affection than Edward VIII. As Prince of Wales he showed a sympathy and understanding of the people that served to establish the Monarchy even more firmly than ever in Britain. Since his accession he has proved, by act as well as by word, that his personal relationship to his subjects has not altered one whit. The feelings of loyalty with which he is now greeted are the same as before; only the outward form has changed in consequence of his elevation to the first place in the Empire instead of the second. As was the case when fanatics sought the life of Queen Victoria, the incident at Hyde Park Corner will serve —if it be possible —to draw monarch and people still closer together. The one feeling of the Empire to-day is thankfulness that His Majesty suffered no harm, and its one prayer is that he may long be spared to reign over a people happy in their associations with their beloved ruler.