Monarchy a privilege
I write in reply to Chris Leamy’s letter (Free Tines, Feb 2) wherein he has questioned the sincerity of my patriotism. Most respectfully, I assure Mr Leamy that I am as genuine as all those hundreds of thousands of patriotic young Aussies who proudly pinned the Royalty Crowned Rising Sun to their slouch hats, swore to serve their Sovereign Lord the King, and sailed across the seas, departing in droves to defend their fully matured, freely established, and completely independent nation almost 98 years ago. They did this so that in a free Monarchy people such as Mr Leamy would be free to express their views. Interestingly, in many republics (such as Germany) it is illegal to be a Monarchist. Perhaps republicans would do well to ponder the fact that they are free to hold such views in a Monarchy, and so be grateful.
Our nation is 224 years old. When we were 40, we had our own flag (the National Colonial Flag of 1824 to1901; the Cross of Saint George, with the stars of the Southern Cross, and the Union Jack). In 1842, we had our first Governor General (Sir Charles FitzRoy; a descendant of King Charles II). By the end of the 19th century, we had complete independence, and all achieved without bloodshed; peacefully and freely. What better birth for a nation?
Republicanism is not appropriate for Australia, as it had nothing to do with Australia. Even Peter Lalor, of the Eureka stockade, was a Monarchist! Modern republicanism is the invention of America, France, Switzerland, and a few Italian city states. What have these to do with Australia? In these times, it is true that most countries are republics, and as such enjoy the delights of corruption, dictatorship, and revolution, but this is irrelevant. After all, we don’t want to be like those lemmings that follow the crowd, do we?
This year is her Majesty the Queens Diamond Jubilee, only the second such celebration in all history (after Queen Victorias in 1897), and Australia has been privileged to be here for both. As the ANZACs said “Australia will be there,” and so we are. God Save the Queen!
Steven Harrison,
Killarney
