EQUALITY OF STATUS
UNITS OF THE EMPIRE EMPHASISED BY TOUR CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION (By Tcleßranh—Press Association—Copyright) Received May 16, 5.5 p.m. QUEBEC, May 15. The special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says that the King’s presence in Canada will throw into bold relief the positions of the nations of the British Commonwealth in relation one to another, particularly their equality of status. All State acts during the Royal visit will disclose that the King holds exactly the same relationship to the Dominion Parliaments and to Dominion Ministers as he holds to the Parliament and Ministers of the United Kingdom. This is in accordance with the Statute of Westminster, under which Great Britain and the Dominions are defined as autonomous communities within the Empire in no way subordinate one to another, though j united by common allegiance to the Crown and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. From the moment. His Majesty sets foot on Canadian soil, to be met by the entire Cabinet, his position as King of Canada, acting with respect to Canadian affairs upon Ihe advice of his responsible Canadian Ministers, will be made apparent. His Majesty has not brought a Minister from the United Kingdom. He will be accompanied throughout his tour by the Prime Minister (Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King), who will act as Minister in Attendance in the full constitutional sense. A proposal that the Canadian Cabinet should share this honour was dropped because in the Canadian Government the Prime Minister is also Secretary of Externa! Affairs, and in view of the international situation it. is essential that the King be kept in the closest, contact wih developments abroad from Whitehall It will be Mr. Mackenzie King's duty to see that important dispatches are communicated to His Majesty, and the opportunity will be given to discuss them. ° Parliament will be unable to complete its business in time to allow His Majesty to prorogue it. Otherwise this would have been the first time the King had performed this Royal function outside Westminster. However, while ho is in Ottawa His Majesty may attend a sitting of the Senate and give the Royal assent to certain Bills. ,
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 114, 17 May 1939, Page 7
Word Count
363EQUALITY OF STATUS Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 114, 17 May 1939, Page 7
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