THE KING LEADS THE WAY.

Mt Benger Mail, 16 September 1931, Page 1

THE KING LEADS THE WAY.

o CUTS IN ROYAL EXPENDITURE. ASKS TO HAVE CIVIL LIST REDUCED. London, September 7. His Majesty has commanded Lord Ponsonby (the King’s Treasurer) to thus write to Mr MacDonald : “In the grave financial situation that is confronting the country, His Majesty desires personally to participate in the movement for a reduction of the national expenditure, and has decided that His Majesty’s Civil List shall be reduced by £50,000 while the emergency lasts. “After the war, owing to the increased cost of living and the full in the purchasing power of money, the Civil List, which was settled in 1910, was found to be inadequate, and drastic economies were made. Therefore, it is not easy to reduce the Civil List further without sacrificing some of the State functions traditionally associated with the monarchy without throwing numbers oi iHs Majesty’s servants out of work. After careful consideration, however, the King has arrived at the conclusion that by exercising the most rigid economy it should be possible to reduce the Civil List by £oo,ooo. The Queen and other members of the Royal family who are in receipt of parliamentary grunts, are all desirous that a reduction shall bo made during the national crisis.” Mr Mac Donald replied:—“ His Majesty '& contributions in war time and in the difficult years succeeding are present in the minds of his subjects. It will be a profound regret to them ail that the circumstances are such as to lead His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family to wish to add to them, but whenever his subjects are called on to share a heavy burden it has been characteristic of his Majesty to lead the way. Now when all must join in the couionin sacrifice they will be heartened by his Majesty’s example and the knowledge that ui making his own contribution a lead has been given them by the King in person and that their Majesties are with them. 1 ask you, on behalf of his subjects, to tender my sincerest thanks for his Majesty's action, and to the other members of the Royal Family.” _* PRINCE OF WALES GIVES £IO,OOO. | London, September 7. j The Prince of Wales desired 1 Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey (Comptroller and Treasurer to the Prince) to communicate with Mr ; Mac Donald, saying that His | Royal Highness is anxious to do I what he can to help me exchequer ill the present eiucrgency. Although he has no grant from Parliament and derives his income solely from the Duchy of Cornwall, he proposes to contribute £IO,OOO to the Exchequer at this time of national emergency.” Mr Mac Donald, replying, said: “Will you convey to his Royal Highness my most grateful recognition of the initiative he has taken and the manner in which he is backing up the effort that the nation has been called on to make.”