IN THIS EDITION: Prince William Flying Into Succession Debate, Endorse!, Satire: Creeping Republicanism Reaches Monarchists, Win a T-Shirt, Year In Review.

Prince William Flying Into Succession Debate

PRIME MINISTER JOHN KEY has stated his intention to follow British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and amend the discriminatory succession law. The statement came just days before the full itinerary of Prince William's Royal tour to New Zealand from 17th to the 19th of January next year. The tour will cost New Zealand taxpayers $200,000.

Mr Key told The New Zealand Herald that he supported moves to change the succession law . Currently the law bans first-born daughters from ascending to the throne and Catholics from marrying into the Royal family and being the head of state.

There is believed to be cross-party support in Britain to change the law so that any first daughter of William's could not be passed over for the throne by a younger brother. However, there is no move to allow a Catholic to become the head of state because the monarch is also the head of the Church of England. The monarchy would still discriminate against Catholics.

Mr Key reiterated his belief that New Zealand would become a republic, but said that it would "probably not" be while he was Prime Minister. The Government is due to set up a constitutional review next year, as part of its agreement with the Maori Party.

Endorse!

KEITH LOCKE is calling for endorsements for his Head of State Referenda Bill, which is set to be debated on 17 March 2010. endorsers of the Bill - just download this form, print it off, sign it and send it in to him at Parliament (it's free):

Parliament Buildings
Private Bag 18041
Wellington 6160
New Zealand.

Keith has also launched a website for the Head of State Referenda Bill at www.greens.org.nz/hsr.

Satire: Creeping Republicanism Reaches Monarchists

CREEPING REPUBLICANISM has long been a problem that afflicts New Zealand's British institutions. Starting with the end of Crown rule in 1853, creeping republicanism is responsible for many of the transgressions against the traditions of our fore bearers: granting Maori the right to vote, granting women the vote, MMP, and more recently with the creation of the Supreme Court. Creeping republicanism has long been the scourge of direct rule from Britain and good old colonial cringe.

Now it seems the logo and name of the Monarchist League has been infiltrated by the traitorous creeping republicanism. Whereas the logo of the of the organisation now known as "Monarchy New Zealand" (not to be confused with Anarchy New Zealand) once sported a glorious Crown representing the imperial majesty of monarchy - pictured above - the new corporate logo of the group is a ying-yang in a socialist red and yellow.

No-one, not even the monarchists, is safe from creeping republicanism.

Any member of the Republican Movement may submit an item to be published in this column - just contact us. All opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not reflect the views and policies of the Republican Movement.

Win a T-shirt

Tell us what you think the Queen should say in her yearly Christmas message, to be broadcast on Christmas Day. Winner will receive a black Republican Movement t-shirt. The winning contribution will be announced on the 25th December, Christmas Day.

Year in Review

January: A poll by Research NZ finds 41% of New Zealanders support a republic, while 48% support the monarchy;

February: Funding for a new book by Alison Quentin-Baxter on the monarchy is approved.

March: Knighthoods and Damehoods are restored.

April: Another poll commissioned by the Republican Movement finds 43% of New Zealanders support a republic, while 45% support the monarchy;

May: Not one of New Zealand's local authorities holds celebrations for the Queen's Birthday holiday.

June: The Government announces the restoration of Queen's Counsel.

July: Cross-party support for a republic builds, with the creation of Labour republicans and National republican groups.

August: A new holiday, to replace Queen's Birthday, is debated.

September: We launch The New Zealand Republic Handbook at Parliament, a new group is formed at Victoria University;

October: Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill is drawn from Parliament's Ballot

November: The Prime Minister announces Prince William is to visit New Zealand in January 2010; agrees at CHOGM to amend the succession law.

December: The Monarchist League re-launches itself as "Monarchy New Zealand".