FACTS OF ABDICATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22629, 18 January 1937, Page 9

FACTS OF ABDICATION

CANADIAN LEADER'S REQUEST LOYALTY TO NEW KING OTTAWA, Jan. 15 "I do not believe that George VI. is King until Parliament has passed the necessary legislation," said Mr. J. S. Woods worth, leader of the Canadian Commonwealth Federation, in a debate to-day on a resolution of loyalty moved by the Prime Minister, Mr. Mackenzie King.

Mr. Woods worth said he had no desire for "muck raking," hut .the people should have the facts in connection with Edward's abdication. The cost of pleasing the British Government was too great.

The Prime Minister interrupted Mr. Woodsworth, but the member refused to modify his statements, and even added that the Canadian Government had merely "rubber-stamped the decision of the British Government." If the selection of a King was' of such small importance, he said, why select one at all?

The Prime Minister declined to discuss the events leading up to the abdication, which, he said, had served to show the double foundation on which rests the relationship of the Crown to the people —the consecration of the Crown to all the highest and best on the part of the people, and the loyalty of all that is most cherished in their collective life. The resolution was adopted without a division. PRIMATE ATTACKED

NATURE OF BROADCAST LONDON, Jan. 15 In the course of an attack on the Archbishop of Canterbury for his broadcast on the occasion of the abdication of Edward VIII., the Rev. Herbert Card, of Birmingham, said: "It may appear presumptions to criticise, but it appears to me that the Primate's broadcast was official Christianity at its worst. After all. there is something called Christian charity even in judgment.

" It was nn unkind utterance which makes one feel that the dis-establish-ment and the dis-endowment of the Church of England might prove its salvation. The spirit of the whole broadcast seemed hardly to have been in accordance with Him Who said: 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.' "

Referring to the former King, Mr. Card said: "He won himself a place in the hearts of the people, which the press leaders succeeded in _ denying popular expression during the crisis, but they will never succeed in banishing the people's affection."