THE MONARCHY UNSHAKEN

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1927, Page 9

THE MONARCHY UNSHAKEN

BRITISH CROWN'S VITALITY OTHER KINGS HAVE FALLEN IN SERVICE OF DEMOCRACY 1 By Telegraph—Tress Assn.—Copyright. London, Oct. 16. Mr. Garvin, in the Observer, urges that a brilliant writer should specialise in the wonderful story of the unshaken survival and strengthening of the British monarchy, while famous sovereignties have disappeared, or are in the custody of dictators. He sketches the declining popularity of royalty since George HL, resulting 40 years ago in its being widely whispered that, if King Edward reigned, he would be the last King, but the aged Queen Victoria’s reappearance at the Jubilees suddenly created her both a legend and an idol. King Edward succeeded at a moment of national Imperial danger. He had the patriotio instinct and foresaw the coming storm, resulting in liis support for the reorganisation cf the army and navy, while his Continental visits dispelled Anglophobia. Also, prompted by his sagacity, he began to make his Kingship a more intimately and widely popular social institution.

The ultimate result has been to create one of the wisest and most genuinely human and sympathetic achievements of a monarchial idea absolutely democratic, representing nothing dividing the nation and everything uniting it. With his incomparable instinct to harmonise with the changing national conditions ho reached the most smoothly working basis which, under George V., has united the whole Empire, which is stronger than ever. The Royal family, by devoting themselves to the service of democracy ..aided by freedom, have completed the evolution of the monarchy. The King and Prince of Wales are indefatigable in supporting social movements, ami the Queen and Duchess of York similarly assist women's non-party movements. Whatever else results from the extension of women's franchise it will further strengthen the Crown, which is already an unchallenged miracle of historic vitality.