The Dominion FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1918. THE BRITISH THRONE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 49, 22 November 1918, Page 4

The Dominion FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1918. THE BRITISH THRONE

In these clays of tumbling crowns and prostrate dynasties, of revolutions latent and accomplished, the British Throne still, stands firm, broad-based upon the. people's will. It has stood the test of a great ordeal. . Never in the history of the world'has there^been. such a crashing down of kingships and principalities,, but the loyalty _of the British peoples to their King has not wavered. Mr. _ Lloyd Geof.ge stated a plain and indubitable fact when he asserted in the House of Commons recently that the British Throne has won added stability, and lustre by reason of the action of its occupants during the war.. This is no mere ceremonial bow to royalty. It is a sincere expression of the Empire's respect for its King and Queen, and a recognition of their fine example in a crisis of unparalleled magnitude. Mr. Bonar Law and Mr. Asquith endorsed and emphasised Mr. Lloyd George's tribute. Their weighty and impressive words command attention, and when w.e ask ourselves why it is that King George is so firmly enthroned in the hearts of his_ people while a score of other kings have been driven from their kingdoms the answer is not far to seeK. He has' associated himself unreservedly with the nation in the achievement of the task which was commented on August 4,' 191-1. He has shared its joys and sorrows, its hopes and fears, its aims and ideals. His words and works have been characterised by quiet dignity, wisdom, and tact. He has said the right thing in the right way and at the right time. Without swagger, or bluster, or bombast, ho. has proved himself to be an ideal constitutional monarch for a thoroughly democratic State.

The soldiers and politicians from the overseas dominions who canto into personal touch with the King were most favourably impressed by his manner and bearing. The Montreal Gazette points out that American soldiers express in their letters home amazement at the Icing's directness. and dbmocratic simplicity. The Gazette goes on to say:

Tho King has met a large and tragic situation in the spirit of adaptation.

... In tho bigness of the war, in the needs it created, in tho awful issues at stake, in the broadening effects of various contacts, in tho immense racitrl unification accomplished in tho crucible of unexampled circumstances, our King has risen to the greatness of the moment, has made contact with every interest, has won the confidence and admiration of the Allies and of the wholo world by his'manly but modest attitude, his quiet courage, which disdained boasting, but, abovo all, by his cordial welcome to every co-operating agency consecrated to the supreme purpose of liberating the world.

The fact that the Throne remains unshaken in the midst of the most tremendous shaking the civiliscd world has ever experienced is a convincing proof of the soundness of the British type of kingship and of the stability of the British mind. Other forms of government may suit other nations, but the British race has evolved a monarchical system which accords well with its peculiar needs and circumstances. We know, and all the world knows, that the self-governing peoples who owe allegiance to King George V enjoy quite as much real freedom as the citizens of the United States or any other republic in the world. By a gradual process of political adaptation we have solved the problem of reconciling kingship and democracy. Mr. Bonar Law has well remarked that our King rests secure, because his Throne is founded on the will of his people. He makes no wild claims to be the instrument, the sword, the representative of the Most High, nor does he threaten disaster and death to those who resist his will. With the modest dignity that becomes a true king he prefers to base his authority on his capacity to serve. By his actions he has shown that he esteems it more honourable to serve than, to be served. Mr. Bonar Law asserts that the "phantom kings" who have fallen from their thrones fell because they pu,t their trust in "an imaginary Divine right." Yet there is a real Divine right of kings, but it is shared with presidents, parliaments, magistrates, and all who righteously exercise legitimate authority. Order is Heaven's _ first law, and political authority is sacred because it is part of the divinely ordered constitution of society; but it is only sacred as 'ong as it fulfils the purpose for which it exists, namely, _ to administer justice and to maintain righteousness. There can he no Divine right to govern wrong. The Kaiser claimed Divine right to deal out death and damnation to his servile subjects; King George, claims the Divine right to be the chief servant of a free people. The day of autocracies and tyrannies has passed. In tho new era upon which we are now entering, kingship will have, to justify its existence by its usefulness, and the British Monarchy has proved its ability to stand this test. And so in this tumultuous time when , many ancient Snstitutions are crumbling and crashing, the British Throne still stands firm, and it will find a secure place in the new world because it has proved itself worthy. It will survive because it has demonstrated its fitness to survive.

Thp death ocoured .it Hastings on Wednesday of Mr. Blalte Mason, eldest son of Mr. 6. .Mason, of that town. Deceased, who was only 35 years of age, ivas married to a. daughter of Mr. Arthur Grogory. He onlisted for activo service, returning to Now Zealand severely wounded, and latterly he was ongagerlin the accountancy department of Messrs. Nelson Bros., at Tomoana.