EXILED KINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 297, 15 December 1936, Page 7

EXILED KINGS.

PRIMATE'S ADDRESS.

Frank Expression of Opinion on

Week's Crisis. EDWARD'S ACTION REGRETTED United "Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, December 14. In the course of a religious service from the British Broadcasting Corporation's Hall, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Lang, emphasised that no strife and no party clashes had attended the past week of bewilderment, which was wonderful proof of the stability of the Throne and the steadiness of the people. The Archbishop drew attention to the coincidence in connection with December 11, on which day King James 11. had fled from Whitehall, and King Edward VIII. had left Windsor Castle, an exile, in darkness, after telling of his motive with characteristic frankness.

It was sad that for such a motive he had abandoned a trust so great and had sought happiness in a manner inconsistent with Christian principles — by a marriage within a social circle whose standards and ways of life were alien to all the best traditions of his people. The members of that circle stood rebuked by the judgment of the nation.

"We, remembering the high hopes of his youth and his eager service, commit him, wherever he may be, to God's infinite mercy," said the Archbishop. "A King has gone —God be with him. A King has come —God bless him and guide him, now and for ever."

The Archbishop concluded by announcing that he would broadcast to the nation on December 27 a solemn recall of the people to religion.

Dr. Spencer Carpenter, Dean of Exeter, said the Church was relieved and liappy at the passing of a scandal which would have cheapened the Coronation, poisoned its sacredness, robbed cities and villages of the simple happiness with which they would have greeted it, and endangered the Estab-

lisliment, which might not have gone down into the abvss alone.

The Bishop of Bradford, Dr. A. W. F. Blunt, whose rebuke of King Edward at a diocesan conference startled the Empire just before the crisis became public property, asked his congregation's special prayers for the King and the Empire. He expressed regret at King Edward's decision, and added that all sympathised with him in the starkness of his alternatives; but his choice had clearly been made from the first and had never altered.

DUKE OF WINDSOR'S GIFT.

DUCHESS OF KENT'S BIRTHDAY

LONDON, December 14,

Among the Duchess of Kent's many birthday gifts yesterday was one from the Duke of Windsor, who had bought it when he was King and handed it to the Duke of Kent, asking him to present it.

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