SOCIALISM AND THE MONARCHY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 836, 7 June 1910, Page 2

SOCIALISM AND THE MONARCHY.

Sir,—With reference to your article on the remarks of certain Socialists regarding the" national mourning of the late King Edward, I should like to say that while there is a good deal of truth in ■ what they say about the humbug of making so much ado over the death of one man, v as long as many are living in ' environment's which are a disgrace to civilisation, yet for all that there is nothing necessarily inconsistent with the ultimata realisation of the principles of Socialism in the present ; continuance of the monarchy. As a Socialist. I honour and revere the memory of the late King Edward.as the world's peacemaker,• but though I am sorry we have lost so good a King I do not pretend to any, great grief that he has gone to "the Better Land," for I know that "over there" he will still continue to exert his good influence over his son King George..so that in time history shall remember ouu. ' , present monarch as the world's' environ- •', ■ m.ent-builder. The institution " : of the' ' monarchy need not necessarily'be the ' , bulwark of capitalism, and according to" the British Constitution the King is a non-party man, so if Socialism came to pass the-jKing could still hold office as monarch of the British Empire even when • we had socialised all wealth. It should be the aim of all true Socialists to strike their hard blows against the whole system and tyranny of capitalism as it now is, and not to attack the monarchy, ljut remain loyal subjects of the Crown while bringing all their political and moral power to bear upon royalty in the direction- of the humanitarian ideal. ■—I am,' etc.,; J. B. MOETON BARNES, May 31.