The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1934. WILL THE KINGS RETURN?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19933, 18 October 1934, Page 8

The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1934. WILL THE KINGS RETURN?

King Alexander’s assassination and the great military and police precautions that have since been taken to protect the lives of other Sovereigns in Europe, are forcing the best informed commentators to examine the status of the rulers of the eastern countries of Europe, it is interesting to learn that King Carol, for instance, who had previously decided not to attend the funeral of King Alexander, because of the high tension in European affairs, has now decided to participate in the last sad rites, not as King of Rumania, but in a private capacity of a brother-in-law of the dead King. It is generally recognised that several countries with in a stone’s throw of Jugo slavia are more or less exercised officially and diplomatically in the future of various monarchies. Obviously the throne occupied by King Carol stands on very insecure ground; indeed, 1 lie sovereignty of King Carol, as in the case of some other neighbouring countries, has its roots in sheer force and certainly not in the people's hearts. The biggest problem confronting Eastern Europe is the future of the Throne of the Hapsburgs. “If any attempt were made to place the Archduke Otto on the throne of Austria, or of Hungary, we would mobilise,” declared the representative of a Central European county the other day. Tt is, of course, not impossible that the difficulties in the way of a restoration will be removed. Italy might prefer an Austrian monarchy to the Austro-German Anschluss. France could be persuaded in the same sense were the members of the Little Entente not her Allies. But who will dare attempt to forecast the future of Eastern Europe, since the unlikeliest, things are so often happening? Yet, in general, to use sporting language, exiled Kings rarely stage a “comeback.” “The captains and the kings depart,” so says the poet—and in the main they do not return. Sisley Huddleston, the well-informed writer on foreign affairs, discussing, the other day, the question: Will Kings return, said:

It is true that Boris of Bulgaria took the place of the dethroned Ferdinand; that Carol of Rumania, after a story youth, succeeded his own little son Michael; and that Alexander of Jugo-Slavia acts as his own dictator. But none of these monarchs was really rejected at any time. Those who were swept away by the war find it hard to recapture popular sentiments. Besides, there is in some cases a foreign veto. The Archduke Otto would have a better chance were it not for the opposition of neighbouring countries to the Hapsburgs. The Hapsburgs symbolise for them centuries of oppression. They would seem to stand for revenge and territorial extension. The ex-Empress Zita is working hard for her son Otto; while he. a studious young man, lives quietly in his little court at Steenochereel near Brussels. The Hohenzollem have by no means abandoned their hope of ruling again over Germany, but it is certain that the recent evolution of the Reich has diminished their prospects.

Scoffing references by the leading National Socialists to “princely persons” would indicate the remoteness of a restoration in Germany. But again prophecy would, in Kaleidoscopic Europe, be hazardous. The royalists in France, too, have taken fresli courage within recent years, since they have seen the Republic shaken by corrupt and incompetent governments. But since there are two claimants to French rulership the issue is lost in the fogs of royal rivalry; indeed, the chances of a King ruling France seems remote indeed. Some observers believe that the Spanish Republic may collapse under the weight of the increasing difficulties. In that event the former King Alfonso, who never formally abdicated, might return. Yet Monarchist, hopes are chiefly centered on the younger son of Alfonso—.Tuan de Bourbon. TTis older brothers have virtually renounced their claim. Taking it all in all, Mr Huddleston makes these pertinent observations; It is not impossible that there will be a reaction in this or that country, and that circumstances will favour a restoration. Yet when one regards the European situation, troubled as it is, it would appear that the world has moved beyond the Monarchist stage. In Belgium the young Leopold 111 has inherited some of the prestige of his illustrious father. In Great Britain the King is beloved, but he governs constitutionally. In smaller northern countries, which were neutral and were not affected by the war, monarchs have kept a personal hold on the affections of their peoples.

Recent, events seem to suggest that once the control of a country is lost by the monarchy, the chances of restoration become fairly remote; indeed, it can be said with some degree of cnnfi dence that with one or two notable exceptions the whole current of present day affairs is against kingly prerogatives. BOLDER PLAN NEEDED. Well-informed mining experts are strong in their demand that New Zealand should embark upon bolder gold-prospecting operations. The high price of gold has brought a new era of prosperity to South Africa, where the increased yield at high prices has enabled the Government of the

Union of South Africa to repay Ihe whole of its war indebtedness

to Britain. With gold at £S 14s an ounce (Australian currency) instead of £4 ss, companies can treat ore that previously was unpayable. The result is a revival throughout Australia’s extensive gold bearing areas. Kalgoorlie, which before the advent of the gold premium was suffering from extreme depression, haS new life. Coolgardie, which flourished for a few years after the sensational discoveries of 1892, and then sank lo the condition of a deserted village, is reviving. All the smaller mining towns west of Kalgoorlie to Southern Cross, north to Wiluna and the Pilbara goldfield, and on the south to beyond Norseman are feeling the benefit of increased gold production. Many prospectors are Working on all goldfields, always encouraged by 1 lie chance of a rich discovery. On September 14 a. report was received from Ora Banda, north-west of Kalgoorlie, that after a week's dollying on his prospecting area. One man secured 61 ounces of gold, worth over £SOO. In Western Australia the gold yield for August was 57,847 ounces, worth about £506,000 in Australian currency. It was the highest monthly return this year, exceeding that of the previous month by 1,888 ounces, and that of August last year by 1,700 ounces. Production for the expired eight months of the year is 430,13 ounces, compared with 410,408 ounces for the corresponding period of last year. Says a recent report:

The departed glories of the famous Tasmania Mine at Beaconsfield, which produced more than 30 tons of gold between 1877 and 1914, are likely to be revived as a result of the extension of hydro-electric power, and the high price of gold. The mine ceased operations in 1914, and since 1930 has been on lease. An English company has taken over the mine with a view to its development on a large scale. Concessions are being made by the State Government in the way of cheap power, and it is expected that under the management of the new company the mine will once again pay dividends. It is interesting to mention that for the third successive year the mineral production in Tasmania lias increased. For the year 1981-32 the production was £898,586, in the following year £935,549. and in 1933 34, £997,054. Tin production increased from £83,949 in 1931-32 to £205,869 in 1933-34. In the principal goldproducing countries in the world vast stretches of potential goldbearing territory are being examined. New Zealand, no less than several other countries has yielded millions of pounds worth of gold. Hence the call, in view of the plenitude of labour available, the abundance of cheap power now for sale, and the high price of the precious metal, for a bolder and more far reaching plan for the thorough investigation of all likely gold-bearing areas in all parts of the country. WHERE UNITY IS VITAL. Substantial proof of the value of the New Zealand organisation set up to safeguard the interests of the wheat-grower by creating and maintaining the Wheat Purchasing Board, is given in the reports that have been published within the past few days. The wheat-grower is not naturally blessed with the co-operative spirit, but lias bred in the bone, as it were, the preference to do as he chooses, in relation to the disposal of the products of his farm. Nevertheless, the difficulties of tlie times have created new problems for the man on the land, and discerning producers have been forced by the stern logic of circumstances to unite for their own protection. The wheat-grower is beginning to realise that only by maintaining a united front will he be able to withstand the onslaughts of his traditional enemies; particularly the timeserving agitator who makes his appeal to the city elector by representing tiie wheat-grower as (lie plunderer of the people. Since the days when Mr Massey and then Mr Coates took a bold stand in defence of the wheat-grower by introducing the sliding scale of duties, the campaign in favour of free markets for wheat has not shown any tendency to slacken: nevertheless it is pleasing to note that the wheat-growers of the South Island at least are now showing themselves whole- heartedly behind those organisations that are really the front line defences against the attacks of the persistent foes of the producers of the staff of life.