“THIS LOYALTY”

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 81, 29 December 1934, Page 10

“THIS LOYALTY”

Homage to the Duke of Gloucester THRONE AND PEOPLE Empire’s Unique Position in the World (By H.P.). Set in the ocean wastes at a point .farthest away from England, New Zealand has ever been noted for its unswerving loyalty to the Throne. While there have been occasions when doubts may have arisen as to the attachment of certain parts of the realm we call the British Empire, such doubts have never been entertained about New Zealand. Some writers have been bold enough to proclaim their belief that the time is not far distant when the world will witness the crumbling of this association of nations 'called the. British Empire. Students of history have considered the position incredible; the Empire so topheavy, that it'must, of its own weight, disintegrate, even as did the might of Persia, Greece and Rome, after varying periods of colonising glory. Yet the most dreadful war in history left England greater than ever; with more territory to administer, more prestige, and a responsibility greater than ever in shaping the.new civilisation. True, in common with other participating nations, she was shaken to the foundations by that conflict, but, as the postwar years have passed, the emergence of England has been considered one of the most amazing and prodigious national achievements since the world began.

Such thoughts are consonant with the 1 season. At the present moment the Duke of Gloucester is New Zealand’s guest. That is to say, the Throne, which has been so worthily represented by the Governor-General Lord Bledisloe, soon to depart these shores. •is being'made a living reality by the presence of a Prince of the Blood. After having toured the country with the Ducal party, one necessarily gathers impressions. On every hand one hears people commiserating with the Royal visitor on his lot in life. “How'bored he must be,” say many. “Just going from place to place, and receiving these addresses—-what a life!” Such people may be right in their conclusions up to a certain point, but do they see beneath “the surface and the show?” Can one conceive it possible, or desirable, that a Prince of the House of Windsor should come this way, and be received just as an ordinary visi-1 tor? Would not that procedure portend a change? And would such a change be one for the better? I very much doubt it. Change Not Wanted. It the ebullitions of loyalty as publicly expressed so far on the tour of the Duke of Gloucester be any criterion of public opinion, one may conclude that any change of attitude toward the Throne would be far from welcome in this little country. . . . One has to get the world in focus to realise that this attitude of absolute fealty to King and Country is not born of empty nothings, or the vapid mouthings of irresppnsible statesmen. England and the British Empire sit cushioned against the Throne watching, estimating, and judging the results of experiments in . other countries. There is a whole world set out for her like a play, or a series of pageants, which at times have taken the form of ghastly tragedies too horrible to contemplate without a shudder. She has seen nations drift into strange hands, and, as.the result, go through periods of travail only comparable to those endured by sane patients in a mental hospital; and we have lived to' see hatred and malice deep-sown in the hearts bf thwarted peoples; misery and starvation engendered by administrations that fail to administer; and the death sentence regarded as not more serious than the swotting of a fly. . . . So is it any wonder that, with the examples of misrule staring at us, the stolid British'have felt that in their Throne, and the British Constitution which backs it, they have something tangible which at least keeps them sane ami reasonably happy and progressive? It is the ingrained belief that this system has been responsible for the happy situation in which the Empire finds itself to-day. That? is why clear-thinking people cheer the Duke of Gloucester and all lie stands for. Doing His Job. The Duke of Gloucester personally does not go out of his way to seek the adulation of the public. He has a job to do. and he does it well. It is his business (o meet the people and see the countries of the Empire, and he is doing it thoroughly and conscientiously. . . . But he is only the symbol of ■ Royalty, the third son of a King we all revere; that sentient medium through which we, as a people, register our feelings of loyalty to Throne and Empire. . . . Only when we cease to honour a King's son as we have the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and the Duke, of Gloucester, will there lie need to fear for the unity and integrity of the glorious British Empire.