The Guardian (And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast 1 Times.) SAURDAY. MAY 21th. 1921.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast 1 Times.) SAURDAY. MAY 21th. 1921.

ROYALTIES AM) RBPt'IJUC'S. Wiiii.b tile convulsions of the Great Wat were staggering the world it was not tiiiconiiiioii to hear the comment of some pert hi bed soul that the days of kings and empetors were over. The ovcithrow of certain mighty anil historie Powers raised so great a cloud of dust, and made so loud a thunder in their fall, that it was not to be wondered at. perhaps. if the impres-

sion .got abroad that thrones and* uiiiiinri.-hies were doomed. Indeed, it is fairly certain that many all observer, "hose brain is otherwise clear, is still unable to rub the dust out of liis eyes when lie regards this particular aspect of world affairs. It is therefore of interest, suggests the Sydney Herald, to attempt to put the matter sanely rattier than despondently to anticipate more trouble. Europe is now, and lias been for very nntiiy Vents, the lioinc of kings and kingship; aiid it is to Europe alone that we need turn for our illustrations, the things that have happened in Asia. Africa, aiid the Americans being of little weight one way or the other in dealing with the argument. Prior to the war there were, including Montenegro and Monaco, nineteen European countries in which the government was monarchical and three—Frame, Switzerland, and Portugal in which it was republican. As a result of the war Montenegro has disappeared from the map; the monarchies have been reduced hv four - —Austria. Germany, Turkey. and Greece—and tile republics in-creased by a corresponding number, so that the figures are now fourteen to seven. It is doubtful if we can properly connect tlie change of government in

Turkey and Greece with the war; but it is probable that it lias lieen. in both eases, largely affected by it ; and. in any event, the change is there. It is also true that several additional republics have been created in Europe as it result of the great struggle, but since, in every ease, they have been carved out of countries which have themselves become republican, they do not atfeet the position. Compared with the ante-war conditions, then, the figures have decreased from throe to one to two to one in favour of the kings. This is a momentous change, no doubt, hut it is easy to regard it ns more serious than it really is. For if we .set off tho countries which have changed against those which have held to their older form of constitution, the true value of the position becomes apparent. Republicanism has not scored so heavily alter all; while on the other hand the vote in favour of the monarchy is more than the listed figures seem to indicate. In fact, the only republican country of any con-

sequence in contemporary Europe is Franco, and France is republican not because of war, but hv reason of causes far antecedent to it. Russia may some day regain her powers, but is to-day a

chaos. Of Germany alntust the same may le said, while the potencies of Austria. Greece and Turkey (so far as European affairs are concerned) are not to he seriously regarded. No: now that- the tumult and the shouting have died down we can begin to see that, so tar front tho kings having departed, they are still entrenched upon tho field —still hold their strong positions.

Arnoros of the subject above, a citizen of the United States has been writing a book about monarchies. The writer in question is Mr Frederick L. Collins, an Amerjcnn, with all a Re-

publican’s lofty disdain for tlie institution of monarchy. Nevertheless, he condescends to cultivate the acquaintance of monarch*, and in “This King Business” has written what he describes as ail intimate account of royalty as a going concern. The last seven years have dealt hardly with royalty. Many proud thrones have fallen; many scions of ancient dynasties are now earning their bread in various workaday callings. Yet, although the king business is not what it list’d to be Mr Collins could find no evidence to suggest that monarchy is dead, or oven presently dying. Here is his verdict: “I came to these courts a confirmed lieliever in republicanism. I left, an even firmer helicver in that form of government for America. For Europe—well, I am inclined to bo patient with monarchy. .Most of Europe still seems to like it.’’ Europe will be grateful to Mr C'ollins for liis broad-minded toleration. His references to the House of "Windsor are complimentary if patronising. The Prince of Wales “is devoting a very useful and colourful life to demonstrating the theory that, though royalty in tluV*e days must !«• good to he royalty at all. gooil royalty is iust as popular as ever- and in England deservedly so." If and when the Prineo marries. .Mr C'oliins is satisfied that lie will choose his own wife and should Jie have a son, there will he no doubt about the latter’s succession. The hoy will have displayed singular judgment in the choice of his ancestors. “A dominant and durable great-great-grand-mother, Queen Victoria, made the throne a very secure one. A charming ami able great grandfather, King Edward, made it a comfortable one; a conscientious and bard-working grand father. King George, is making it a useful one. And a gifted potential father, the present Prince of Wales, promises to make it the most popular throne in the long history of monarchy. All the heir-apparent needs to dn to the British throne is to sit in it." Incidentally -Mr Collins seems io think that the terms republic and democracy arc synonymous, and that monarchy and democracy are incompatible. Of course, that is not so. A tin 111:1 cellv may be democratic in the truest sense. while there are republics which 1 letter merit the title of plutocracy.