The Daily News THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1934. THE ROYAL WEDDING.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1934, Page 4

The Daily News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1934. THE ROYAL WEDDING.

OFFICES: NEW PLYMOUTH, Currie Street. STRATFORD, Broadway. HAWERA, High Street.

Without in any way being fulsome it is safe to say that in all parts of the British Empire today the thoughts of many will be with the marriage of the Duke of Kent to Princess Marina. That the nuptials of a son of the King should create widespread and genuine interest among those of his subjects to whom self-government is as the breath of life, shows how skilfully in that unwritten “British Constitution” the legal position of the Crown has been subordinated to the personal ascendancy of the King and the royal family. As the unquestioned head of the nation the King’s position has a security that must be the envy of all other reigning monarchs, and even of those “first citizens” who hold their positions by might or by popular election. The legal position of the Crown has been defined in regard to certain laws; its personal scope is indefinite and apparently unlimited. It goes without saying that the personal popularity and esteem in which the King and the royal family are held has been due to the wisdom and discretion of the occupants of the Throne and their sons and daughters during the past century. When George IV. was King the Crown could be openly lampooned and even insulted by popular publications. Even in Queen Victoria’s days there could be criticism so caustic as to call for warnings from her most trusted advisers, and this in a period when plain speaking in regard to persons in high places required a good deal more courage than is necessary to-day. King Edward began the warmer association between the Crown and the populace. He recognised that the loyalty of Britons generally is more easily invoked for an individual than for an idea, and his son, the present King, has developed that loyalty by the tact, courtesy and devption to duty that has characterised his occupancy of the high position he holds. The old-time power of the Crown and of the feudal aristocracy has passed away almost without causing a ripple on the surface of domestic politics. Reforms have been achieved and new methods of government selected, not always as quickly as reformers desired biit whenever the modification agreed upon could show they had the majority of the electors behind them. To-day the Crown is the only formal link between Great Britain and the . selfgoverning Dominions. It is the Crown alone, acting through the King’s Privy Council, that can settle any dispute between New Zealand and the Homeland, allegiance being no longer to the Parliament at Westminster, but to the King. But while the definite political power of the Crown may be remote the real political influence of a wise and experienced Sovereign is wider than is generally recognised. The King is the mouthpiece of his peoples in what may be termed efforts made for the advancement of civilisation. It is his privilege to stimulate all truly national effort, that is to say, efforts which stand outside the realm of party politics. By his judgment of the right time and method of using that influence is the success or failure of a constitutional monarch to be gauged. Three years ago it was used by King George to make a truly national Government possible in the face of economic peril. Twenty years ago it was for the King, as representing their country, that men from all over the Empire went gladly to meet the fortunes of war. The influence of the Throne being chiefly personal the King has been wise enough to extend its use to his sons. They have been trained to take their part as his personal representatives, to accord more intimately than would be possible for anyone outside the Sovereign’s family his personal goodwill and desire to help any cause that is for the nation s good, whether in politics, the arts, science or trade. The Prince of Wales and his brothers have shown response to the training and example of the King. The popularity of those who have visited the democratic Dominions has been the best proof of this, and it is because of their willingness to share in the responsibilities as well as the privileges of Royalty that they are accepted by self-governing peoples not only as figures in a political system more successful than any other nation lias devised, but as those who bring personal contact between the Throne and the nation. And this opinion is held by those who would scorn any suggestion of sycophancy or of a belief in axiy~ thing approaching the “Divine Rights” ■ of Sovereigns. Indi-

vidually the bride and bridegroom of to-day are unknown in the Dominion. It is realised, however, that their marriage is approved by the King and Queen, and their subjects in every part of the Empire will be sincere in their hope that the future of the young people will be one of useful happiness.