THE KING.

Shannon News, 25 October 1921, Page 4

THE KING.

HIS INFLUENCE AND POWER

Wellington, October 19. While expressing some: diffidence in discussing the question, the Prime Minister spoke in an interesting strain of the King’s place in the Constitution and his power. Ins remarks were made in reply to constitutional arguments of Mr Malcolm. Mr Malcolm: I would say the King has a great deal of influence but no power. The Prime. Minister said the King had a great deal of power. He was the only maii. who could put the machinery of State in operation, ihe way in which business was conducted was this: important decision or recommendation of Cabinet would be submitted to the King either by the Prime Minister or the President of the Council. The King would go into every detail of the proposal. I have been present ancl I know, and sometimes when he takes a different point of view he is able to induce even Cabinet to change its opinion to some extent. The King takes' a very -im- « portant pail in thief. Government of the Empire, and there is very little that'goes on, even in the Dominions, with which he is not acquainted. So far as I am' concerned, I think there is no< comparison between the system of Government in operation in the Empire and in operation in the United States.” Mr Wilford: agree with that. Mr Massey said he did not think there was the least possibility 01 urn Empire ever becoming a Republic, but if it were to become a Republic and King George were a candidate for the .Presidency, no one else woulu have a “look in.” . Hon. Mr Ngata: Not from Pukekohe? Mr Massey: The honourable gentleman is always thinking of something that is not relevant.