THE CASTLE PLEDGE.

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 13 September 1930, Page 15

THE CASTLE PLEDGE.

I promise to smile every time I can, and to chase all the frowns into the dark cavte, ■where the Smile Giant will Mil them with his Magic Sword Happiness.

My Dear Smiles, — I was reading - the other day about, a. .Royal garden party held in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, at which there were six thousand guests! Just imagine it! As many guests at a garden party as there are people at the Hawera Showgrounds on Show Day, or on the occasion of a. big football match! Of course everybody present did not meet the King and Queen, but their Majesties walked through the throng of people to the Royal Pavilion, were distinguished visitors were presented to them. On the occasion I am referring to the Archbishop of New Zealand was among those presented. This reminds me that there has been much talk among learned men about the new Princess, Princess Elizabeth's baby sister. It seems no one is quite sure whether Princess Betty or the new Princess, or both, should come to the Throne in the event of their father ever becoming King. It seems that the wise men who make the laws of England have provided for Princes and have laid it down that the eldest, son should succeed to the Throne, but no one ever stopped to consider what would be the position if in the future the King had no son, but only a daughter! So long as there was only one dugliter it was all quite clear, but if there were two daughters it is not certain that both would not have equal rights to the Throne. It is a strange position to occur m Old England, with all it wonderful traditions and laws extending back into the ages, isn t it ! The King has commanded that a special investigation be made into the legal position and doubtless, if it is found that Princess Betty has no prior right to that of her younger sister, Parliament Avill be asked to make a new law on the subject. It is all very puzzling—and very interesting isn’t it, that the wise men of the Empire should be put to so much worry about a little baby. But then, of course, this new baby is one of the most important Royal persons in the world! Your affectionate, SMILE QUEEN.