THE DOMINIONS AND MONARCHICAL FORMS. [To THE EDITOR OF THE
" SPECTATOR."] SIR, —I suppose you are aware that in the Dominions there are people who prefer a Republican to a Monarchical form of government. The number of those who would support active revolutionary measures forms, I believe, a very small minority. But there are many who, while they do not wish to see the Monarchy abolished, would like to see some of its ways altered. The Spectator was the first to describe the British Monarch as the " Grand Chairman of the Nation." That is a very happy phrase, and I think it would be wise if the King, his advisers and officials laid more stress in public pronouncements on the Chairmanship rather than on the Kingship. I will give an instance of what I mean. In speeches and messages to the people, the King frequently speaks of " My Navy," " My Army," " My Empire." I assure you this gives great offence to many. The Navy, the Army, the Empires are not the King's; they are the common possessions of all the members of the British Empire. Another example of what I am referring to is the use of the word " subject." Many of us object to be called even " British subjects "; still more do we object to be called the " King's subjects." We are not " sub- ject " to anybody. We are members or citizens of the British Empire.—I am, Sir, &c., NEW ZEALANDER. [We deal with this subject in our leading columns.—ED. Spectator.]
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