The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, September 18, 1913. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1147, 18 September 1913, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, September 18, 1913. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The Richmond (Melbourne) Council unanimously resolved : “That as no contradiction had been given to the reports that Mayor Webber had purposely omitted the toast of the King iu the recent official dinner because he held Republican views, and in consideration of the fact that the citizens of Richmond are deeply concerned thereby, this Council places on record that the views of the Mayor are not held by the Council, and declares its unwavering loyalty to the monarchy.” This resolution was the outcome of the Mayor’s action on celebrating his elevation to the mayoral chair of Richmond, a suburb of Melbourne, by cutting the King’s name out of the toast list. In his explanation, Mayor Webber said : “I left the toast out because I consider it superfluous, but not as a matter of principle. Personally, I am a Republican, and do not believe in monarchies. The King is only a figure head, and as such he is recognised. The King is never present to respond to the toast. I believe in presidents, elected by the people. 1 would honour Mr Cook, the Prime Minister, who is a political opponent of mine, because he obtained that position through his own efforts. The King might be the best man, but he might not. A King ascends the throne through being the eldest son of a King ; but he might be a nincompoop and his younger brother a very able man.”