CORONATION OATH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 69, 22 February 1937, Page 7

CORONATION OATH

SIGNIFICANCE TO EMPIRE. THE DOMINIONS’ STATUS. “BELONG TO THEMSELVES.” fUnited Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received February 22, 9.45 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 21. Commenting on the Coronation Oath, the Observer says: “The word ‘Dominions’ now lias less general meaning than formerly. The Dominions do not belong to the United Kingdom as the old phraseology had it, but only to themselves. The guarantee for the maintenance of the Protcotant Reformed Religion is now expressly limited to the United Kingdom, where its historical significance resides.” The Sunday Times says: “The Oath does not merely accord with the fact of His Majesty’s multiple Kingship, but places it on record before the world.” “Our fears that the King’s pledge to maintain the Protestant Reformed Religion might be altered have been allayed,” says Mr J. A. Kensit, of tlie Protestant Truth Society. “While it is only reasonable to recognise in the Oath the altered status of the Dominions, yet on a future occasion, because of this precedent, vital words might be altered. The Archbishop of Canterbury is in an anomalous position in exacting from the King the oath to do something he fails to do himself. I am writing the Archbishop of Canterbury asking him the question he asks the King, ‘Will you do the utmost in your power to maintain the Protestant .Reformed Religion established by law?’ ” SIGNIFICANT CHANGES. THE TEXT ISSUED. (British Official Wireless.) Received February 22, 11.13 a.m. RUGBY, Feb. 20. Commenting on the changes in the Coronation Oath, the Manchester Guardian says they are another instance of the way in which even tlie most historic of English constitutional usages are modified to meet new conditions. The changes have become necessary since 1911 owing to the constitutional position which has arisen from the new status ot tho Dominions under tlie Statute of Westminster. The new form of the Oath has been approved after a discussion between the United Kingdom Government and the Dominions Governments. The text of tlie first portion of the Coronation Oath, in order to meet the changed constitutional position, is to be as follows: —“Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the peoples of Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa of your possessions, and other territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, and of your Empire in India according to their respective laws and customs?” Jn 1911 this part of the Oath took the form: “Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people, of this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging according to the Statute in Parliament agreed on, and the respective laws and customs of the same?” No alteration has been made in the second part, in which the King swears iie will, to his power, cause law - and justice in mercy to be executed in all his judgments. Tlie religious part of tho Oath has been slightly modified so as to limit to tlie United Kingdom the King’s undertaking to maintain the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law. Regarding this modification, tlie Manchester Guardian remarks:—lt manifests that ,though the Protestant character of the Monarchy—once its most vital characteristic —stands unshaken it lias ceased to be aiy irritant challenge to those of other faiths.