Requesf for an Act

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 288, 5 December 1936, Page 5

Requesf for an Act

Ministers Declare It to be Impossible

THE CHURCH’S POSITION LONDON, Dec. 3. Referring to the common impression that the King intimated to his Ministers his intention to marry and that they intervened with objections to his choice, the Parliamentary correspondent of The Times says that a more accurato version is that tho King expressed a desire to contract such a marriage as would require a special Act of Parliament, that he himself has taken the initiative in asking whether such a measure can be passed, and that the Ministers, after full consideration, have replied that it is impossible. The difference is important because it disposes of the theory that Ministers have interfered in the private affairs of the Sovereign. The Church Times, editorially, says: “The Church cannot regard any man, however exalted his temporal position, as Christ’s faithful vassal and servant who enters into a relationship which the Church specifically condemns. It has been suggested that the King might marry Mrs. Simpson as the Duke of Cornwall and that Parliament might pass an Act of Exclusion barring any issue from the Throne. This would not in the least affect the position of the Church. If tho King marries Mrs. Simpson the relations between Church and State must be fundamentally affected. The King is never unmindful of the interests of his subjects. It may be that the deep concern expressed with respectful emphasis in the newspapers and heard at every street corner and in every assembly may cause him at the eleventh hour to sacrifice his own inclination for his people’s good.” The King is still at Fort Belvedere, the grounds and approaches of whieh are patrolled by plain-clothes police. The main gate bore a panel on which the word “Stop” was printed. Even official dispatch riders were not allowed inside the gates, where they handed over their dispatches to sentries. A car in which Major Alexander, Lieut.Colonel the Hon. Piers Legh, Equerry to the King, aud Sir Godfrey Thomas, it is believed, were going to London after 90 minutes’ audience with tho King, left shortly before 1 p.m. A Signal Corps dispatch rider rode up to the gate a few minutes later and handed over a bulky envelope.

Queen Mary in tho afternoon drove to Sydenham to inspect the ruins of the Crystal Palace. ' The Duchess of York had earlier called on the Queen. The Daily Herald, in a leader, says: “It is probably true to say that no community in all tho Empire, great though its affection and sympathy may be for King Edward personally, would approve of the King’s marriage, as King, with the lady mentioned. For the Prime Minister there was no escape from his obvious duty.”

The Duke cancelled an engagement to open extensions to the Wandsworth Technical Institute this afternoon ‘‘owing to the difficulties of Cabinet.” He has also cancelled,,hjs ; ,engagements for to-night. .. . \ The Duchess of York cancelled her day’s engagements. Similar action was taken by the Duke of Kent and the 'Ear! of. Athlone.

Cabinet to Meet on Monday ' RECALL OF VISCOUNT GALWAY FROM SOUTH ISLAND. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) stated to-day that he had received confidential communications from the Home Government, but he was not in a position to make any state- 1 > ment at the present time. The matter was still indefinite, but wlieu there was anything definite or important to deal with, Ministers would be available immediately.

“It does not appear to be any secret now that the crisis is over that the King’s prospective choice of an American consort was tho reason for the sudden recall of the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) from the South Island this week,” lie added. “In all probability, the urgent message to his Excellency came direct from the British authorities.” There is to be a fully-attended meeting of Cabinet on Monday, but whether or not the constitutional crisis will be discussed has not been disclosed.