CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN BRITAIN.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 96, 7 December 1936, Page 3

CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN BRITAIN.

I KING EDWARD VIII. MAY ABDICATE. resent,-. interference in PRIVATE AFFAIRS. LONDON, December 3. The Daily Mail, in a leading article, says there is nothing to be gained by minimising the magnitude of’ the constitutional crisis that has arisen over the King’s marriage plans ami matters ! (affecting his private life, on which the! : Cabinet felt it necessary to tender ad- | vice which the King regarded as an (intrusion into his private affairs. The I matter was not perhaps handled with j all the delicacy and tact called for, 'but the whole Empire is looking anxious] v to the King and the Government to solve a problem unprecedented in our history; for a solution must be found. An act of abdication at such a time would fill the hearts of millions of the King’s loyal subjects with deepest sorrow. No such calamitous step need or should be taken. Immensely much depends on the King, for by the effect of the Statute of Westminster he is the lynchpin of the Empire, and the sole link between the Mother Country and the Dominions. When such is the position there is every confidence among his wide-varied peoples that he will answer the Imperial call in the same splendid manner as so often in the past. Certainly in this supreme moment the whole nation will unite in prayer that his Majesty and his Ministers may reach a solution of the grave problem with which they are confronted, and thus avert a catastrophe. LONDON, December 4. Officially there is so far no further development in the constitutional crisis in Groat Britain through the reported marriage plans of His Majesty the King. The Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin) is expected to make a statement next week which will throw light on the position. In the meantime Mr Baldwin has maintained that a “constitutional difficulty’’ does not at present exist. Unofficial Parliamentary opinion is that a “way out’’ will be found. The crisis is being approached from the Imperial angle. It. is reported that no step is being made without the Dominions being advised or without their agreement. Mrs Simpson, according to a newspaper report, has not left England. According to reports, the Dominions’ governments have made clear their unwillingness to ’accept Mrs Simpson, whether as Queen or r.s morganatic wife of the King. Popular demonstrations loyalty to His Majesty have been made in London. The King’s movements are closely guarded. There are many reports of visits exchanged and consultations among members of the Royal Family, between the King and Mr Baldwin, and among representatives of the Dominions and the British Government. There is no indication of the significance of the discussions.