CORONATION PROCLAMATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1936, Page 2

CORONATION PROCLAMATION

SCENES IN LONDON KING AND THE FORCES [BY CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON. December 19. With a repetition of last week’s pageantry, heralds proclaimed the Coronation date and announced the appointment of the Duke of Gloucester to serve on the Coronation Claims Committee. • The procession followed the customary route from St. James’s Palace to ;he City. Except for the reference to the “Coronation of our beloved consort,” the proclamation followed the text of that used for the Duke of Windsor. Queen Mary, a lone figure at a window of Marlborough Mouse, watched the Coronation proclamation at St. James's Palace. In accordance with a submission from the House of Lords to the Commanders of the Admiralty in that behalf, the King hhs assumed the rank of Admiral of the Fleet in his Majesty’s Fleet, to date as from December 11, 1936. The King's assumption of the rank of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Marines of the rank of Field-Marshal, and of that of Marshal of the Royal Air Force, with effect from December 11. is also gazetted. The King has also assumed the positions of Colonel-in-Chief of the Life Guards, the Horse Guards, the Royal Artillery, the Royal Engineers, and the .five footguards regiments. SUCCESSION ACT. LONDON, December IS. A special article in “The Times” urges the necessity for passing without delay the new Succession Act declaring to whom, in default of male heirs, the Crown would pass. Otherwise, it is said, embarrassing legal difficulties might arise throughout the Empire when no authority exists tp resolve them. The article explains that the Crown is entailed by the Act of Settlement “upon the heirs of the body of the Electress Sophia of Hanover, being Pretestants,” which creates a limitation to the heirs general. Tho article recalls that the Constitutional Authority of 1892 decided that there was no precedent in English law for interpreting the Act of Settlement into preference for one princess over her sisters. The position is now complicated by the Statute of Westminster, which strengthens the view held in 1892. Moreover, if hte question is left in abeyance until the demise of the Crown, the next in succession may be two or more sisters or their representatives. The question between them could not be addressed to Parliament which is incomplete withotu a sovereign, or the law courts, as judges have no authority until they have taken the oath of allegiance to the Crown. The only body able to act would be the Assembly of Peer?., Privy Councillors or others who draw up the proclamation of the new King. ‘Considering that each Dominion has an equal right to interpret the Act of Settlement, it is not conclusive that the six interpretations would bo identical, hence the necessity for an immediate settlement. CHRIST?/!AS GATHERING

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS] RUGBY, December 19. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will, if they have sufficiently recovered from influenza, accompany the Royal Family, the party Including the King. Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, to Sandringham, where Christmas will be spent. YOUTH AND EMPIRE LONDON, December 18. A service for the youth of the Empire is planned to be held in Westminster Abbey on May 19, a week after the Coronation. Nine thousand youths, aged from 16 to 18, will attend. The Archbishop of Canterbury will preach. It is hoped that the leading representatives of the Free Churches will participate in the service, which will be broadcast throughout the Empire. It is suggested that services should be held simultaneously in the cathedrals throughout the Empire. Their Majesties and the Princesses may attend. The service will probably be followed by a similar rally in the Albert Hall, where the foundation of an Empire youth movement will be discussed. Westminster Abbey authorities think the rally may start a great non political movement. DUKE OF WINDSOR ROMAN CATHOLIC COMMENT (Recd. Dec. 21. noon). LONDON, December 20. The fust authoritative pronouncement regarding the Roman Catholic attitude towards recent events was made by Archbishop llinsley, in Westminster Cathedral. He said: The crisis tested two-fold loyalty in many ways,'loyalty to God and loyalty to the power which is from God, ‘For there is no other power but from God.’ Even in ihfs hour of grief at the departure of a ruler beloved of his people, we have reason for thankfulness for the loyalty of his subjects. They have remained staunchly attached to the. Throne, while desirous that God’s law should prevail. For the soul which is naturally Christian is aware that happiness is in God, and in the observance of Hi.! Commandments. FAREWELL SPEECH RECORDS LONDON, December 20. Although gramophone records of the Duke of Windsor’s farewell speech are selling throughout the United States, none was made in England, where none is on sale. According to the “News-Chronicle,’’ the His Master’s Voice Company, which has usually recorded the messages, approached the authorities when it was known that the Duke was to broadcast, but permission to record the address was refused because it was considered not “policy to have ’a record of the departing monarch’s farewell permanently reproducable in every home. ASTROLOGER’S PREDICTION LONDON, December 20. “The Duke of Windsor, according to the indications of astrology, will return

to England within 10 years as leader of the social life of Britain, after which the Church and the State will divide,” said Dr. Atherton at a conference of the Federation of British Astrologers. Dr. Atherton added: ‘‘Edward was born under Aquarius rising, which is a sign that he belongs to the Order of Melchisadeck, but Aquarius belongs to the people, therefore Edward from birth is of the people, as distinct from the Crown. 1 predicted in 1926 that the Prince of Wafes would take the name of Windsor.” CAMERAS SEIZED. LONDON, December 20. Today the Duke played golf guarded by 50 gendarmes, who seized the cameras of moviernen when they attempted to film the Duke. The cameras were later returned. NEW ZEALAND PROPOSALS. WELLINGTON, December 19. The Ptime Minister (Mr Savage) stated to-day that the question of the celebration of the Coronation had been before Cabinet. Public buildings would be suitably decorated and illuminated, but a decision had been made against the distribution of menials to school children from the feeling that they failed of their purpose as permanent, memorials. However, the Government had in mind tho distribution to each school, though not to individual children, of something appropriate, which would be a permanent reminder. The Government also feels with Great Britain that the national effort with regard to a Coronation memorial should be a King George V. memorial, and it had no hesitation in proposing a fund for the permanent establishment and maintenance of children’s health camps. The Government will inaugurate the fund at an early date with a substantial contribution, and will use all the departmental machinery at its disposal to help in an appeal to the people. This year’s health stamp 1 campaign will be held as usual to augment the present health camp finances, but it is probable that a special Coronation stamp will be issued next year, the profits of which i will go to the King George V. memor-J ial fund.