LABOUR AND MONARCHY

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 May 1937, Page 7

LABOUR AND MONARCHY

“BARRIERS OF SPLENDOUR.” [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIBELESS] RUGBY, May 27. By 240 votes to 112, the House of Commons gave the second reading to the Civil List Bill.

Mr. A. Greenwood (Labour), said the British Monarchy existed by the will of the British people and with the approval of the people of the Dominions. It was recognised as symbolising the fundamental unity of those peoples freely associated in the British Commonwealth of Nations. He believed that the kingship would gain in dignity by permitting it the privacy it did not now enjoy, and by destroying the barriers of splendour and display which stood between the King and the people. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Chamberlain) questioned the Labour assumption that a widespread feeling existed in favour of simplification. He suggested that insofar as it was present the people would prefer simplification to come from the King’s own inclination and natural disposition.

He remarked in conclusion: “I do not take the Opposition motion as meaning any hostility to the idea of monarchy or of suggesting that if we. have a monarchy it should not be kept up with due regard. I take it that it is for. the purpose of placing on record a point of view which has been put forward in very moderate terms.”