KING’S DUTY

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 299, 2 December 1936, Page 5

KING’S DUTY

AID RELIGION

WORK FOR PEACE

Bishop’s Views On The Coronation. Press Association—Copyright. Received 1 p.m. London, December 1. The Bishop of Bradford, referring to the Coronation, said: “The King on this occasion holds an avowedly representative position. His personal views and opinions are his own and as an individual he has the right of us all to be the keeper of his own private conscience, but in his public capacity at the Coronation he stands for the English people’s idea of kingship.

“Whatever the ceremony may mean —much or little to the individual who is crowned —it means to the people as a whole their dedication of the English Monarchy to the care of God. “There was never a clearer need than at present for a great rally to religion. The world is torn by conflicting tendencies, overtly and covertly anti-religious. No Christian can feel comfortable about the attitude towards religion displayed by the rulers of various European States, and the threat of national or international disturbance never seems to grow less pressing. Civilisation, in a tottering, unstable condition, is forcing us to wonder whether it may perish by internal combustion.”

FREER CASE.

CRISIS APROACHING Resignation Of Mr. Patterson Mooted. Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, Dec. 1. It is reported that a crisis is approaching in the caste of Mrs M. Freer, It is expected that an influential section of the Federal Cabinet will attempt to force Mr T. Patterson's hajid, and hfe. action may possibly lead to his resignation.

The Freer case continues with liveliest controversy between Press and political circles. There is much speculation as to what will happen at to-morrow’s Federal Cabinet meeting at Canberra. The Sydney Sun says that on the assumption that Cabinet will lift the ban, Ministers are desperately seeking a formula whereby Mr Patterson will be able to stay in the Cabinet, while should Mr Patterson be forced out against the wish of the Country Party, of which he is a member, the future of the Government might be endangered. Mr R. G. Menzies, the AttorneyGeneral in the House of Representatives at Canberra to-day, denied he had stated that there was neither legal nor moral grounds for Mrs Freer’s exclusion. Has Mrs. Freer Sailed On Awatea? Press Association —Copyright. Wellington, Last Night.

Speculation whether the arrival of Mrs Freer at Wellington from Auckland yesterday had any relationship with the sailing of the Awatea for Sydney created considerable interest on board the vessel before she sailed to-night. Mrs Freer booked out of her hotel soon after 9 o’clock 'this morning. Suggestions that she in-

tended to seek admission to Australia were re-inforced by cablegrams which have been received hinting that the ban imposed might be lifted by' the decision of the Commonwealth Cabinet.

If Mrs Freer was a passenger in. the Awatea her name did not appear in the passenger list. Further, any knowledge of her movements was denied officially on board. Nevertheless, rumours that she was on board persisted. Officials of the Awatea stated that it would be a comparatively simple proceeding for Mrs Freer to find her way on board under an assumed name. She was not known in Wellington and would meet little difficulty in securing a ticket. It is understood Mrs Freer also paid for a ticket back to New Zealand in the event of a further refusal of her landing in Australia.

A Sydney message to-day states that after the Federal Cabinet adjourned last night, it was learned that the Ministry will not permit Mrs. Freer to land and will pphold the decision of Mr. Paterson.