The Influence of the Throne

Upper Hutt Weekly Review, Volume I, Issue 11, 28 February 1936, Page 1

The Influence of the Throne

The interpretation of the word "Democracy"—"the Government of the people, by the people, for the people"—has been so frequently quoted of late years that a tendency developed to forget that Democracy is not a form of Government but the spirit that inspires it. Hence the thought had crept into the minds and found expression on the lips of many of its votaries that democracy had no need of monarchy. Without any question of disloyalty, it was often asked "Why should the country be burdened with the expense of a Royal family?" The rise of dictators and the disturbed conditions of some of the republican countries has answered the question and the steadying- effect of a throne such as ours is now almost universally recognised. Democracy developed as the result of the age long conflict between the people at the bottom of the social scale and the privileged classes at the top, of which latter class the monarch was looked upon as the head. In the growth of democratic ideas many of the thrones vanished, but that of Britain remained, mainly by reason of the constitutiton evolved restricting the absolutism of the Sovereign. Nevertheless, because of this very curtailment of the powers of the Crown, the thought prevailed in many minds that the Throne was a useless appendage to the State.

But the influence of Kingly concern for the welfare of all his subjects, so prominently displayed by His .late Majesty King- George V. and his successor, King Edward VIII., has definitely called a halt to the growth of this idea. Where a King who is well beloved leads, his people will follow, both in thought and in deed. It is the recognition of this fact which has no doubt called forth the eloquent tribute recently uttered by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, when addressing the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers. "We have lost," he said, "a beloved and lovable King who was a peacemaker all his days. But we are extremely lucky that his son is one of the greatest friends of the people who has ever stepped on to a throne to take his father's place. "I have quoted the present King Edward ("when he was Prince of Wales) from public platforms many a time, when he has called upon the world to do the right thing to save humanity. While the British Empire has a King of that calibre, with a heart throbbing with pity for his peoples, then democracy is safe, and the peace of the world is safe, too." This is no fulsome flattery, it is conviction. Mr. Semple is "well acquainted with the difficulties and trials of the people, none more so, he knows their thoughts and their aspirations, and, moreover, he has made a lifelong study of the influences that affect their welfare.