A FRENCH CUSTOM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26778, 22 May 1948, Page 7

A FRENCH CUSTOM

ENJOYMENT ON SUNDAYS “NO APOLOGY REQUIRED” N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent LONDON, May 20. Reaction in Paris to the protest of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland against Princess Elizabeth and the Duke oP'Edinburgh attending races, a theatre, and a night club during their visit to the French capital was one of surprise. It was expressed by the French Foreign Office and Home Office. Court circles feel that no apology is required because Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh attended the races and a night club in Paris on Sunday. Court circles said that the Royal couple’s programme for their visit was arranged before they left England, but Sunday night was left free. Princess Elizabeth accepted the invitation to attend the races, a theatre, and a night club last Sunday as the guest of the French Government. It would have been most discourteous to have refused, said a spokesman of the British Embassy in Paris in reply to the criticisms contained in the resolution passed by the General Assembly. No Objections to Programme A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We asked Buckingham Palace it there were any objections to our Sunday programme for the Princess. The palace said that such a programme would not be allowed in England. But objections would not be raised because it was recognised that France’s customs are different from Britain's.” A French Home Office spokesman: ‘‘We in Paris loved the Princess because she became tout a fait Parisienne (just like a Parisienne). She and her handsome prince were so gay and gracious. In visiting another country it is necessary to be like the citizens of that country. In France all the best families go to the races on Sundays. And as for a night club, well, when you are young and in love, then after dinner you must go and celebrate. Paris thought the Princess quite perfect, and we think it natural that she and Philip should amuse themselves on Sunday—the best day of the week.” Discussion Gagged Discussion of the resolution by the assembly was “ gagged.” It was read to 150 ministers and their wives by the Rev. William Fraser and expressed “ grief and concern ” at the programme arranged for the Lord’s Day. Mr Fraser was about to make some comments after reading the resolution and was in the middle of saying that those responsible fob publishing the press reports of the events had done no good to the nation when Professor Roderick Finlayson, who prepared the resolution, hurried to the dias. He whispered to Mr Fraser, who remarked: “ I am told there is to be no discussion on this matter. Very well. If there is to be no discussion that is all right. I move its adoption.”