Archbishop Stars Controversy with Broadcast on King

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 25, 13 February 1937, Page 16

Archbishop Stars Controversy with Broadcast on King

LONJDON. — A controversy, has arisen over the recent broadcast . address by the Archbishop of Canterbury wherein this high dignitary of the Church of England rebuked both the late King himself and the social cirele formerly surrounding the royal palace. There are strong partisans" of both sides. Oue hoids that the Achbishop was only doing his duty as head ^f Britain's established religionTn speaking out. The other thinks that the time has gone by for praise or blame and that the sooner .the entire incident of the late King's* abdieation is forgotten the better for all eoncerned. Another point is raised that promises to be more lasting. It concerns the question as to whether or not suifteient control is being exereised over those who express their views by broadcasting. This control is in the hands of a board originally appointed by the Government and uitimateiy liabie to be ehanged.by that authority, but for the time being able to act entirely independently. The board is understooa to have given the Archbishop a f ree hand . on the oecasion of his broadcast, not supposing that he would say anything" controversial. Meanwhile, public opinion here inelines to endorse the words used by Prime Minister Baldwin when he declared that he had "iittle or nothing to say in the way of comment or critieism or praise or blame." Mr Baldwin added: "Let no word be spoken that causes p'ain to any soui, let us not forget to-day the revered and beloved ligure of Queen Mary and what ail this has meant to her, and think of her when we have to speak. if speak we must." Only a small minority holds any other view.