THE SUCCESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22595, 7 December 1936, Page 10

THE SUCCESSION

NEW HEIIiS TO THEONE EFFECT OF ABDICATION NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received December 0, 10.!10 p.m.) LONDON, Doc. 0 A high authority says that the voluntary abdication of the King would not necessitate legislative steps to give it effect, but consequential legislation certainly would bo required. Under the Act of Settlement, the succession lias passed automatically to the eldest surviving son. If King Edward had married and had issue, his Abdication would not affect the succession, but new legislation would be required to establish the issue of a new King in the line of succession.

Tho Times says it is recognised that it would place the new monarch in a most invidious position to ask him to give the Royal assent to such a measure. Such an Act would doubtless be presented to Parliament forthwith as the final measure to which the outgoing monarch would be asked to assent.

"Once more tho next word is with Hie King," says the Manchester Guardian's diplomatic correspondent, in pointing out that tho result of Mr. Baldwin's statement is that the King must forgo his proposed marriage or abdicate, or, refusing to do either, must seek, if possible, another Government.

The correspondent adds that the King on Thursday invited the Cabinet to consider whether a solution could bo found by legislation permitting his marriage and diminishing the status of his consort, and also excluding any children from succession.

The Cabinet mot yesterday with tho knowledge obtained ■ from the High Commissioners that the Dominions did not accept this compromise. The British Cabinet took the same view.

CANADIAN ATTITUDE CABINET'S LONG MEETING CONJECTURE AS TO VIEW (Received December G, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, Dec. r> Following a meeting of the Cabinet which lasted for four hours, the Prime Minister, Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King, refused to" make an announcement. He said he could add nothing to the statement made by Mr. Baldwin. This is taken to indicate that the Cabinet unanimously endorses the standpoint of the British Ministry. Mr. Mackenzie King has cancelled his week-end in the country and is prepared to call an emergency meeting of Parliament.

The Primate of Canada, Archbishop D. T. Owen, has asked for prayer. He asks the people to stand ready, say little and pray much for the Empire, the Government of Britain, the Church and, above all, tho King.

CORONATION SEATS SUSPENSION OF DEALING ERECTION BEING CONTINUED (Received December 6, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Dec. 5 Although dealing in Coronation scats has been suspended, their erection continues on tho route of tho procession. Ticket agencies, in the event of cancellation, will return 80 per cent of the ticket money to purchasers. It is stated in London that the King's abdication would result in huge lossos to trade.

Hostesses are wondering whether to give imrties and organisers of pageants arc agitatedly marking time. Dominion and Colonial agencies are discussing the advisability of cancelling hotel bookings.

UNINFORMED COMMENT COUNSEL OF CAUTION ADVICE BY ARCHBISHOP LONDON, Dec. 4 Tho Archbishop of Canterbury, in a statement, said: "At this moment of deep anxiety and bewilderment of the public mind, 1 venture to express two earnest hopes. Firstly, that during this critical week-end, especially on Sunday, those who have a duty to speak to tho people from the pulpit and otherwise should refrain from speaking directly on matters which have arisen affecting the King and his subjects. "Words spoken with imperfect knowledge in an extremely difficult and delicate situation can give no helpful guidance, and may only mislead and confuse public thought and feeling. Silcnco is fitting until ultimato decisions ar<* known.

"Secondly, 1 hope, indeed 1 take it for granted, that on Sunday prayers will be offered iu all our churches that. God may, in those momentous hours, rule over tho decision of the King and the Government for the lasting good of his realm and Empire."

RAISING THE ISSUE RESPONSIBILITY DENIED AUSTRALIA AND CANADA LONDON, Dec. 4 Australian business men in London aro deeply concerned over tho widespread prevalence in tho city of rumours that Australia took the initiativo in raising tho Mrs. Simpson issue. Tho Australian Associated Press has the best authority for denying this story, and emphasises tho fact that Australia and New Zealand havo not yet advanced their views. They havo done little more than watch progress, although like tho other Dominions, they havo been closely in touch with tho Secretary for the Dominions, Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald. An emphatic denial has reached London from Mr. Mackenzie King, Prima Minister of Canada, that action was instigated by any Dominion, particularly Canada, as distinguished from tho United Kingdom. A message from Ottawa stated: The Primo Minister has issuod a statement, saying: "It is wrong to allege that, in the existing situation, any proceeding or course of action in Britain has been at the instance of the Dominions and of Canada in particular."