THE KING IN OTHER EYES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20137, 24 December 1928, Page 8

THE KING IN OTHER EYES.

News of the King's illness, now happily past its most anxious stage, has been accompanied from time to time by comments showing with what interest and anxiety its course was followed in many parts of Europe. When the Prince of Wales was hurrying back from Africa, it was noted, as it was worthy of note, what voluntary and zealous efforts were made in Italy. Switzerland and France to make the way easy for him. Offers of similar service came to his brothers, tho Portuguese Government having been especially solicitous. These, up to a point, were gestures of international courtesy, but, there was more in them than that. The extent to which the British Royal family is realised abroad as a factor in British national life has now been further illumined by the comments of Pertinax, the famous French writer, who is not always quoted in the appreciative mood he displays in his references to the King. All citizens of the Empiro may not agree in detail with his analysis of the reasons why the British people cling so faithfully to the monarchy and yield such spontaneous loyalty to the Royal House. Everyone will agree with the suggestion that it is the readiness to meet all sections of the community freely, and the unswerving sense of duty the. present King has always shown, that have combined to consolidate the position of the Throne at a time when in other countries monarchies have crashed to ruins. These, combined with the manner in which the Royal family has exemplified, at their highest, the national spirit and the national ideals have made possible in a modern democratic community the maintenance of what is in origin a medieval institution. There is also to be counted, as indicated by the comments of Pertinax, the scrupulous care taken to keep the Throne above party and beyond party. On these qualities the institution of monarchy stands firm in the Empire, but, as the acute French commentator obviously appreciates, the persona] relations between King and people constitute its strongest buttress.