|
Although he attended local schools, Leonard’s
most important knowledge came from independent study and his own
intuition. Today, we would call him a prodigy--even a genius.
This gifted man, while working long hours on the land, also developed
strikingly independent theories of planetary motion that challenged
those of Kepler. He conducted research in sub-atomic physics and
mathematics and lively correspondence with scholars around the
world concerning his research and theories.
In
1969, after having acquired new lands northwest of Northampton,
W.A. and settled there with his extended family, disaster struck
in the form of draconian actions by the government of Western
Australia. Wheat quotas were imposed--so onerous that compliance
would have bankrupted the Casleys and their fellow farmers--and
there was no appeal! At this point, Leonard Casley, by virtue
of the circumstances, also became a constitutional lawyer and
a statesman. He researched pertinent laws, conferred with his
family and associates, then attempted to reach an amicable resolution.
When the government refused to budge, Leonard Casley and his supporters,
in a breath-taking move, seceded from Western Australia and the
Commonwealth, founding the independent state of Hutt River Province.
He was duly elected administrator and eventually given tacit recognition
as such by Western Australia, albeit reluctantly.
The
government of Western Australia apparently had concluded that
the Casley family had a viable case. However, when a new Prime
Minister for Australia took office, he quickly declared that his
government did not recognize the secession of April 21, 1970,
with the implication that drastic measures were imminent. Faced
with this threat, the Casleys invoked certain arcane provisions
of British and Commonwealth law, the result of which Administrator
Leonard Casley became Prince Leonard--to shield himself and his
followers, since charges of treasonable action could not be brought
against a de facto prince and those who helped him. While the
“loopholes” in Australian law have since been closed,
the secession of the Province remains a fait accompli to this
day. Fortunately, relations with Australia have improved in recent
years, after a rocky start, but that country will probably be
the last to recognize the HRP.
Thus,
Prince Leonard rules today as a benevolent hereditary monarch,
although a new constitution of elegant simplicity provides for
a unicameral parliament. Crown Prince Ian is the heir apparent.
HRH Prince Leonard and Her Serene Highness Princess Shirley live
simply on their beautiful, rugged land but have plenty of company.
Tourism is booming and thousands of overseas citizens hold HRP
passports. They constitute a unique worldwide society, supporting
charitable causes and sponsoring various events in their local
communities.
The
Province has diplomatic representatives in some thirty countries,
although formal recognition remains a goal still to be achieved.
HRP exercises sovereignty over its territory, issues its own stamps
and currency and enjoys widespread support for espousing principles
of justice, integrity and peaceful resolution of conflict. HRH
Prince Leonard holds honorary doctoral degrees and high orders
of Chivalry. He is received with respect, as an authentic head
of state, wherever he travels and has instituted his own royal
orders to recognize achievements of HRP citizens and other honorees.
Hutt
River Province welcomes citizens of good character who support
the principles of individual freedom and enlightened government.
Those who find themselves in agreement with the Principality and
its Sovereign and who wish to apply for citizenship may inquire
at any HRP diplomatic office for details. The United States has
repealed all laws prohibiting dual citizenship, so this should
not be an issue of contention when the U.S. eventually recognizes
the Principality/
Note:
since this article was first written, the official name has changed
to the Principality of Hutt River. The former name still appears
in historic contexts and earlier published materials such as this
one
|
