The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-12-09
NEWSPAPERS OPINIONS
THE KING AND THE CROWN

distinction must be drawn between the British
crown and the British king Technically, the crown
is almost an absolute ruler over the British people,
whose government is His Majestys government,
whose army and navy are His Majestys army, and
navy. ETC. But the crown rules through the &abi-
net and does not control it, and hence in practice
Great Britain is democracy with, a hereditary
monarchy. ,if -;
The king as distinct from the crown has certain
duties and privileges, such as opening Parliament,
making the speech from the throne, signing the
more important acts papers, treaties, commissions
ETC. His right of veto, not exercised since $685. IS
today practically non-exstent, He receives an an
nual grant from Parliament and in return makes
over to the exchequer certain hereditary revenues
which pertain to the crown rather than to the King
ship. He is immune from any civil criminal ac'
ton, and any attempt his life, safety or free-
dom is treason. The kingship never lapses. At the
very moment of kings death his successor be-
comes king. ("The king is dead, long live the
king.'D
Succession to the British throne is fixed by the
Act of Settlement of 1901. Because William and
Anne would have no descendants, Parliament con-
ferred the crown upon the Protestant heirs OF the
Eiectress of Hanover who was the granddaughter
of James l. No Roman Catholic and no spouse OF
a Roman Catholic may sit on the throne. Under
act of 1910 the king must swear to uphold the acts
of Parliament to secure the Protestant succession
and to declare that he is a Protestant. Under the
act of union with Scotland, the king must pledge
himself also to uphold the Church OF England ana
the PRESBYTERIAN Church of Scotland. The king
and queen must both be communicates of the
Church of England. The assent of the king is nee
essary to make valid the marriage of any descend
ant Of George II under the age of 25, except the
issue of princesses married into foreign families.
After 25, the marriage of any such descendant is
valid without the royal consent, provided that
years notice has been given and that both houses
of Parliament do not disapprove. ...
Complete control of the government by the cab
met became fixed in the reigns of George and
George IT, Neither of these spoke English easily,
and neither was so much interested in England as
in Hanover Hence they were content to allow their
cabinet to govern without interference. George III
tried to re-estabsh some of the lost powers of the
throne. Otherwise, the difficulties with the Ameri-
can colonies might not have developed into revou-
ton.
Legally the king may dismiss ministry, but
that has never been done in recent times (He
would probably be unable to find another that Com
mons would support.) When the leadership Of
new government is not foreordained, the king may
exercise discretion in the choice of new prime
minister In 1924 the king granted the requset OF
the Labour government, defeated in a Commons
vote for general election, instead of trying TO
have a new government organized which the house
would support without dissolution Of Parliament
By Bertram Benedict.