BRITISH MONARCHY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 126, 29 May 1937, Page 9

BRITISH MONARCHY

THE CIVIL LIST BILL OPINIONS IN THE COMMONS ’ [ British Official Wireless. 1 Received May 28, 5.30 p.m. RUGBY, May 27. By 240 votes to 112 the House of Commons gave the second reading to the Civil List Bill. Mr. A. Greenwood (Labour) said that the British monarchy existed by the will of the British people and with the approval of the people of the Dominions, and was recognised as symbolising the fundamental unity of those peoples freely associated in the British Commonwealth of Nations. He believed that kingship would gain in dignity by permitting it the privacy it did not now enjoy and by destroying the barriers of splendour and display which stood between the King and the people. Mr. Neville Chamberlain questioned the Labour assumption that a widespread feeling existed in favour of simplification, but suggested insofar as it was present that the people would prefer simplification to come from the King’s own inclination and natural disposition. He remarked in conclusion: "I do not take the Opposition motion as meaning any hostility to the idea of the monarchy or of suggesting that if we have a monarchy it should not be kept up with due regard. I take it that it is for the purpose of placing on record a point of view, which has been put forward in very moderate terms.”