The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1937 THE STRENGTH OF CONSTITUTIONAL KINGSHIP.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20639, 30 January 1937, Page 10

The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1937 THE STRENGTH OF CONSTITUTIONAL KINGSHIP.

Because British monarchy is a hardy plant of ancient growth, which has survived many difficult periods, not a great deal of interest will be aroused in the Overseas Dominions by the legislation being considered in the House of Commons to make provision for a regency in the event of the Sovereign, being for various reasons, unable to discharge the functions of the Crown. Moreover, if the roots of the monarchy go deep and the foliage of its constitutional functions and public influence are sometimes tender, the Crown has, nevertheless, a way of shaping itself to national needs and of weathering storms. Doubtless it is considered necessary, as a precautionary measure, to enact regency legislation but, it is interesting to bear in mind, because of the change in the status of the self-governing Dominions, under the Statute of Westminster, no legislation passed by the House of Commons is binding on the Overseas Dominions without legislative consent. This, of course, would hardly be withheld because the new legislation does not alter the law touching succession to the throne or the Royal style and titles. The new legislative measure does make the necessary provision, however, to meet a situation that might arise if the King died with the heir-apparent under age, or the King could not discharge the functions of his high office: The BUI proposes that In the event of a Regency being necessary, the Regent should be the person next in line of succession to the Crown and not disqualified. The Bill sets up machinery for the performance of Royal functions by a Regent in the name and on behalf of the Sovereign in certain circumstances, and for the delegation of Royal functions to Counsellors of State in certain other circumstances. All who know anything of English history expected that good sense and conscience would bring the constitutional kingship of Britain safely through the most severe trials. Moreover, all who cherish democratic government and the ideals of the Commonwealth of British Nations, hoped fervently that the dramatic events of the recent months would contribute to the strengthening of the Crown as the symbol of British unity. As a matter of fact, the outcome of a grave constitutional crisis has been to furnish substantial proof of the resilency and strength of British Government by King and Parliament. Legal rigidity may be considered essential in defining the relationships (in the event of unexpected happenings) of the Sovereign and the regency; but any solution of the country’s constitutional problems that has been worked out by the British talent for compromise, has from time to time more clearly demonstrated the adaptability and sturdiness of constitutional monarchy.