“BY GRACE OF GOD.”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 291, 21 November 1936, Page 5

“BY GRACE OF GOD.”

Methodists And A Coinage Question. Press Association —Copyright. Wellington, Last Night. The view that to restore the letters •‘D.G.” ("Dei gratia”—“by the Grace of God") to the New Zealand really meant making God responsible for the English monarchy, was* expressed by the Rev. O. E. Burton, when the question was before the annual synod of. the Wellington district of the Methodist Chorch yesterday. “The history of the English kings it* a very mixed one,” Mr. Burton said.

The president, Rev. E. P. Blamires: So is the history of the Church. Mr. Burton. added that whether the principles of the Gospel could be worked out fully under the* monarchy as at present constituted was a moot point. The report of the Public Questions' Committee, presented by the Rev. P. R. Paris, stated that 'the president of the conference had been advised by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, that the design for the obverse, or ‘'head” side, of the coins was determined by the Imperial authorities, and was the standard one appearing on aft new issues of coins. When objections were first raised the matter was referred to the Imperial authorities, who advised that the design had been approved by a special committee, including a personal icpresentative of the King. In the circumstances the New 1 Zealand Govmen t did not propose to take any 'iiiiher action in the matter. i The Rev. H. T. Peat thought it was i a pity that the letters “D.G.” were 1 omitted from the coinage, as they i were at least an indication that kings i could only rule by God’s grace. He j moved, that the New Zealand Government make representations to the I Imperial Government, during the i presence of the Hon. W. Nash in England, that the letters should be restored. The Rev. J. Dennis seconded the motion. Mr. Peat’s motion w’as lost.