VICAR AND DUKE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22887, 16 November 1937, Page 10

VICAR AND DUKE

COMMENT BY BISHOP NO DISCOURTESY INTENDED ARMISTICE DAY INCIDENT LONDON, Nov. 14 "I am satisfied-that no publfb discourtesy was intended to the Duke of Windsor," said the Bishop of Fulham, Dr. B. S. Batty, in commenting on tho published remarks of Canon Dart, vicar of St. George's, Paris, in his diocese, which caused the Duke to stay away from the Armistice Day service at the church, to which he had been invited by the organising ex-serricemen. "The trouble arose," added Dr. Batty, "through the publication of a private conversation and might be allowed to drop." PERSONAL VIEWS CANON DART'S REGRET FULL APOLOGY OFFERED PARIS, Nov. 10 Canon Dart, in an interview to-day, said his remarks in connection -with the Duke of Windsor had been misunderstood. He had not intended that his personal views on divorce should be associated with the Duke's visit to his church. Explaining the arrangements made for the Duke to leave with other members of tho British Legiijn, Mr. Dart said: "It was pointed out to me by an official personage, whose name and rank I am not at liberty to divulge, that under this arrangement it would not be necessary for me to meet the Duke, and that tho question of my speaking to him did not arise. "I am -willing to give every courtesy to the Duke, whose brother is our King. At the same time, I, like many other members of tho clergy, hold very definite views about divorce and remarriage.

"But it is an absolute lie to suggest that it was because of these views I should not be speaking to the Duke.

"My definite opinion is that the Duke has as much right as anyone to attend the Armistice Day service. Unfortunately, my private views have been linked with this particular matter, which has caused me great distress. "To-day I had a long talk by telephone with the Duke's private secretary. I explained the position fully, and asked him to give the Duke my sincere apologies if any reference to my private views had been taken to mean that I was opposing his visit. "When tho conversation was ended, I was hopeful that the Duke would be coming to the service. I take this opportunity to publicly apologise for any apparent slight to the Duke."