KING OF SWEDEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1938, Page 6

KING OF SWEDEN

A MOMENTOUS REIGN MONARCHY BASED ON PEOPLE’S LOVE. CONTRIBUTION TO DEMOCRACY. The anniversary of the eightieth birthday of King Gustaf V of Sweden was celebrated on June 6. During King Gustaf’s successful and highly esteemed reign-many notable events have taken place in the history of Sweden and of the world. When Oscar. Gustaf Adolf was born in 1858, the eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Ostergotland’, the Bernadotte dynasty was still relatively young. The generation to which the present King of Sweden belonged was the first to be connected by links of birth and relationship to the ruling royal lines of Europe. On September 20, 1881, he married Princess Victoria of Baden at Karlsruhe. King Gustaf was Crown Prince of Sweden and Norway for over 30 years, and was actively concerned as the representative of his father in the discussion concerning the dissolution of the Union with Norway in 1905. This critical dispute was solved in a manner which satisfied Norway and Sweden, the credit for this being largely ascribed to Crown Prince Gustaf, who, during the last two years of his father’s life,- had served as the actual Regent. Gustaf V’s period of government as Crown Prince and King, coincides with the epoch of modern democracy.

TWO GREAT TASKS. The relation between the Royal Power, the older social system where the landed proprietor and State Official constitute such a notable feature, and the democratic people’s move? ments which were developing, was one of the great problems with which King Gustaf was faced. The other was for: eign policy. Future events revealed that he possessed the qualities for solving both these tasks. King Gustaf’s political wisdom—possibly a hereditary trait, and strengthened by long experience, was • one of great importance to Sweden. The King of Sweden’s reign began in December, 1907, when he adopted the motto “with the people for the Motherland.” In his speech from the Throne to the Rigsdag in 1908, Gustaf formulated his programme with a few simple words—“ Heavily do I feel t..e responsibility laid upon me now that I have ascended Sweden’s throne after Oscar 11, but with honest zeal for the welfare and development of the Motherland I shall ever seek to fulfil my call.” The events in the world and Sweden placed great demands upon the tact, wisdom and ability of Sweden’s ruling monarch, who often had the benefit of able advisers in the Ministerial circle. Fortunately the postwar years brought about a quiter development in outward measure—in several respects Sweden’s position as a Baltic State became more secure than formerly.

“UNIVERSAL DEMOCRACY.” Another important contribution by the King of Sweden was towards the establishment of “universal democracy” in Sweden, following the Great War and post-war, changes in Europe. Sweden’s present Constitution is based upon the 1809 form of government, but primarily at the end of the War it received important changes and additions in a democratic direction. It is built upon the principles of popular self-government, of political freedom, and equality. It can likewise still be characterised as a monarchy upon a popular ground-work. The Royal Power‘in Sweden today, its conditions and assumptions, its means of expression and the extent of its powers naturally differ from those of an older day in essential features. It is not so gorgeous and pompous as before, nor does it give the same scope to manifestations of personal will and power, but because of this it is by no means an unimportant institution.

KING AND CABINET. In representative respects it places great demands upon those by whom it is exercised. The collaboration of the King in Cabinet councils is still important. It does honour both to King Gustaf V and to the statesmen and politicians of the new age that they have been able to agree within the framework of the new democratic system upon a successful co-operation based on mutual trust. The personal authority of the old Monarch, his long experience and his independence of parties, haye been a source of counsel and support for the changing Swedish Ministries. In a specially marked way King Gustaf has become the link between old and new in Sweden He maintains the ancient and distinguished traditions of the Swedish Kingdom with dignity and simplicity. , He represents the constancy and continuity in Swedish State affairs, but he has also, like the people’s King he is, a true human understanding of (the legitimacy and rightfulness in new developments, of social reforms and of the necessity and blessings of progress.