DUKE CAUSES FURORE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30794, 5 July 1965, Page 13

DUKE CAUSES FURORE

(N Z. Press Assn.— Copj/riflht) LONDON, July 4. The Duke of Edinburgh was in the middle of a major political and Commonwealth controversy this weekend because of his intervention in the inflammable issue of Rhodesia’s future, according to the Associated Press.

A Labour member of Parliament, Mr Hugh Jenkins, said yesterday that he in-

tended to raise the matter in Parliament by a motion which would, in effect, be a challenge to the Duke. The motion will state that “this House believes that it is a condition of constitutional monarchy that Royalty shall not give public expression to contentious political opinions.”

The cause of the controversy is a speech which the Duke made to Edinburgh University students on Friday night in which he urged patience in settling Rhodesia’s future in order to avoid the “risk of a blood bath.” Private Citizen

Although the Duke, as the Queen’s consort, is inevitably associated with the Queen in her constitutional role of Head of State, his position is in fact that of a private citizen. His speeches are not an expression of public policy. A Buckingham Palace spokesman made it clear that the Duke was speaking spontaneously when he mentioned the Rhodesian issue. There is no question of hiis comments having been approved by the Government.

His speech has already provoked a strong reaction in Africa, where it has encouraged the belief among Afri-

can political leaders that the British Government policy is to delay Rhodesian majority rule by the Africans for as long as possible. Mr Jenkins is bringing the matter up in Parliament because he regards the speech as “particularly illadvised at the present time." The “Sunday Telegraph” commented editorially: “The Prince’s outspokenness on public affairs does not imperil the delicate Rhodesian negotiations. Unfortunately, it does imperil the dignity of the Crown.” “Without Precedent”

The “Daily Mirror” described the speech as “astonishing” and said “it is without precedent in modern times for a member of the Royal Family directly to intervene with an expression of personal views on a subject of high political controversy.”

In a front page story, the newspaper said that the first question asked among diplomats in London was whether the speech had been made with the approval of the Prime Minister.

A second question was “Did the Duke speak from a prepared text, or was his reference to Rhodesia an off-the-cuff indiscretion?” The “Daily Mirror” said the speech might cause the Prime Minister embarrasment—the Duke’s advocacy of patience was directly opposed to that of the African Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

The “Daily Express” said that there was “surprise in diplomatic circles” that the Duke should express himself so forcibly on a current diplomatic issue.

Surprise was reported in diplomatic circles that the 44-year-old Duke, who has earned a reputation for outspoken comments on domestic affairs, should come out so strongly on a hot political topic.

British Government sources were silent today on the Duke’s speech. (Duke’s Speech, Page 19)