TOAST FOR (1949)

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 37, 5 January 1949, Page 4

TOAST FOR (1949)

Sir, —A Loyal toast is “The King.” Long may our Monarchy reign to protect the sovereignty of the nation. It is with misgiving that I see our respective Governments are following in the steps of Sir Stafford Cripps. What purpose is really being served by dropping “British” from the “British Commonwealth of Nations.” And where does the British Crown stand under this proposal? Have we, the descendants of a free-born race, been asked if we want our link with the British .Crown severed, and our constitutional freedom replaced by a dictatorship? The British Constitutional Monarchy is an essential part of the structure of the Empire. It provides the focal point of common allegiance and is the linch-pin of association. And, more than that, it is the protection of the fundamental rights of a free-born nation and is an effective check on all powerful and uncontrolled Government. Like constitutions, upper houses and impartial courts of law, it has to be discredited and destroyed. It blocks the way to Communist or Social distatorship. Note, the Nationality and Citizens’ Bill, to alter the status of Dominion citizens to the British Crown. The attention of the anti-nation-alistic Communists and Socialists to the unasked-for and undesirable national claims, reveals the ultrior motive. The break-up of the British Empire; and the Dominions are being pledged to drop “British” for an International junta! And' who asked for that? A referendum on the constitutional fights of the people should come before gambling and beer,, which is also under a corporate control, and does not represent the body politic. Yours ©tc., W. BRADSHAW.