Manawatu Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 21st MAY, 1875.] WIFE FOR THE PRINCE.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXII, Issue 1710, 13 December 1920, Page 4

Manawatu Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 21st MAY, 1875.] WIFE FOR THE PRINCE.

The denial of the report of the betrothal of the Prince of Wales to a Danish princess reminds ,us that a week or two ago reference was made hero to the discussion that had been smarted in the Old Country with regard to his choice of a life mate. Later files now to hand show that it was attracting a deal of attention. Among- contributions to it is a letter from Mr J. G. Swift McNeill, who, besides being the member for South Donegal, is Professor of Constitutional Law in the National University of ireland. In-case any foolish hopes may be cherished among our young fair ones, it may be as w r ell to rejpeat what he has to say with regard to the restraints which the law, as it Stands, places upon the heir presumptive to tiie throne of the United Kingdom in his selection of a consort, It appears from . Professor McNeill's letter that General Smuts upwards of three years ago, in a speech delivered at the banquet given in his honour by members of both Douses of Parliament in the Royalty Gallery of the House of Lords, evoked loud and enthusiastic cheers by the following words: —"Let us be thankful for merlies; we have a kingship here which is not very different from an hereditary republic. lam sure that more and more in the future the trend will be in the direction of a more democratic kingship, and I shall not be surprised to see the time come when our Royal Princes, instead of getting their consorts from among the princelings of Central Europe, will go for them to the Dominions and other portions of the British Empire." To the realisation of this ideal, says Professor McNeill, the repeal of the Royal Marriage Act, 177 2 (12 George 111., c XL), is an essential condition precedent. That measure, which owes its place on the Statute Look solely to the dominating will of George 111., who was incensed by the marriage of his brothers, the Duke of Cumberland and the Duke of Gloucester, to ladies who were not of Royal birth, was fiercely and persistently opposed, and carried through its stages in both Houses by the full force of the King's personal influence, exercised over men who had not a word to say in its recommendation. This Act while it remains on the Statute Book is necessarily operative. Failure in compliance with its .provisions, however' formal, is fatal to the legal validity of the marriage of persons subject to its .restrictions. The Act prohibits any descendant of King George IT., except those who are the issue of princesses married into foreign houses, from contracting marriage before the age of 25 without the assent of the King signified under the Great Seal. After that age they may marry without the Royal assent, but only if they have given notice of their intention to the Privy Council twelve months before the ceremony, and if the two Houses' of Parliament do not signify their disapprobation. All marriages contracted in defiance of the Act are null, and all who celebrate them or assist at them are subject to the penalties of "proemunire." "In my judgment," concludes Professor McNeill, "having regard to the ripening of public opinion and the dislike and suspicion of restrains and disabilities affecting individuals as distinct from the community at large, the repeal of the Royal "Marriage Act is a matler of urcronoy."