AUSTRALIAN LABOUR ATTITUDE

Northern Advocate, 10 December 1936, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR ATTITUDE

KING MUST TAKE MINISTERS’ ADVICE

[United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.l (Received 10 a.m.) CANBERRA, December 9.

When the House of Representatives met today the Prime Minister, Mr Lyons, briefly explained why Parliament had been called together, mentioning the constitutional crisis arising out of the suggested marriage of His Majesty. Mr Lyons added that, as the position was still. uncertain, a Parliamentary discussion at this stage could do nothing but harm. >

Mr Lyons said, however, that he desired to Inform the House that the Commonwealth Government had concurred in the decision of the British Government not to legislate for something in the nature of a morganatic marriage. Meanwhile, silence in Parliament was the best contribution towards a happy solution. •

Mr J. Curtin, Leader of the Opposition, after asking that all the facts should be made available,' said the Labour Party insisted that there should be no coercion by the Minister of this or any other Dominion upon the King in his choosing, of a wife.

“The King, on the other hand, must not ask Parliament for any special legislation to suit his convenience in choosing a wife,” said Mr Curtin. “He must choose a wife from the ladies who may lawfully. be married to him as the law stan'ds, and must accept the advice of his Ministers.

“The Opposition will leave the King unfettered in his choice of a wife, but the King must accept full responsibility to his own conscience and the Empire in the choice he makes. The Australian Labour Party hopes the King will remain upon the Throne. It desires to remain loyal to him, and will do so.”

The House adjourned until tomorrow.