NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1207, 16 August 1911, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

II)y TelezrapU-Press Association.! RELIGIOUS TEACHING IN SCHOOLS. RESOLUTIONS BY DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY. Duncdin, August 15. The Dunedin Presbytery, nfter exhaut-'t-ivo discussion in committee, lasting upwards of two hours, unanimously passed tlio following motion:—"That this Presbytery affirms tlie general principles oi the New Soutli Wales Act relative* to religious instruction in schools, namely ■■— (1) That children in State schools receive, general Biblical instruction by schoo teachers from a book containing selected passages from the Old and Now lesUimenlt!, the lxx)k to he prepared by the Department of public instruction. (-) That accredited representatives of uiiferent churches be permitted to teach tiio chiktren of their denominations lor a limited period during school hours, but in cases where desirable tlio children of different denominations may _bo grouped for tho purpose of religious instruction, in sucli cases the teaching must not bo sectarian. (3) Conscience clause for parents and pupils.-Porljon of Clause 2 is not part of the New bouth Wales Act, but is a rider proposed by the Presbvtery to meet certain circumstances that may arise. It is known that this grouping is very frequently done in Aw South Wales. ' AUCKLAND'S ISLAND TRADE, "IN A CRITICAL POSITION." Auckland, August 15. Tho management of the Island trade is tho object of an amendment to the Auckland Harbour Board's by-laws which was decided upon at Holiday's meeting of the board, on the motion of tho chairman (3lr. J. H. Gnnson). The amendment will provide that storage etiarges shall not be made in respect to any goods which are bona fide the products of the Islands, and which are consigned for transhipment to places beyond New Zealand. Tho chairman, in moving the motion, said that at one time Auckland possessed ,i valuable Island connection, but the trade was now in a critical position, and was not increasing as it should. Tho shipping companies wero cutting freights greatly, and it would be wiso for tho board' to make the concession proposed in his motion. The Island trade was one that tho port should foster in every possible way. Mr. C. Bnglcy raised the question as to whether the Samoan Island should share in the concession, or whether only tho Island under tho British flag should participate. Mr., P. Virtue remarked that it would not matter which islands the goods came from as tho board would get the wharfage duos in any case. The chairman said that the amending bylaw would bo drafted by the board's solicitors who would safeguard the interests of the board in every necessary way. STATE TRADING. PROTEST l-'ROM COAL-CARRIERS. Dunedin, August 15. At a meeting of the Carriers' and Coal Merchants'" Union of Employees a resolution was carried protesting emphatically against tho (iovcrnment's proposal to amend the law to enable the htato Department to deal in coals other than State coals, which, as far as Duncdin is concerned, seemingly affect close on 100 coal merchants and their employees. Tho cooperation of kindred coal merchants' associations throughout tho Dominion is to be invited. BAND CONTEST. Gisborne, August 15. At a meeting of the Executive Committee in connection with the coming band contest, reference was mado to the value of the first prize for A grade bands. It was mentioned that' the prize money in this branch had not been increased on account of tho request of the association. Several members expressed the opinion that the prize should ba increased, and eventually decided to give a special citizens' prize of ?£SO, in addition to the first prize for A grade bands. MAORI WAR VETERANS, New Plymouth, August 15. A largely-attended meeting to-day of the members of tho Taranaki branch of the Royal New Zealand Association of his Majesty's Veterans decided to institute a movement for obtaining service bars for all New Zealanders who took part in tho Maori war, securing a bar for each general engagement in which he took part The matter will be brought under tho notice of the Minister for Defence.

FIRE BRIGADE CONFERENCE. Auckland, August 15. The United Fire Brigade Association Conference for next year is to take place at. Rotorua. Tins decision is the result of a vote which was counted to-day. JOINING HOTEL HANDS' UNION. Palmerston, August 15. A meeting of hotel and restaurant employees, convened by Mr. Carey, resolved to-night to form a branch of the Wellington Union. Fifty-four members have, been enrolled. The Conciliation Council sits to-morrow to deal with the dispute. INSPECTOR ENTERS POLITICS. Whangarei, August 15. Mr. Roderick Duncan Stewart, school inspector, hag informed a Wh'angarei pressman that he has definitely decided to contest the Manuka.u seat in the Government interest at tho coming General Election. THE KING AND THE SCOUTS. Christchurch, August 15. Lord Islington has informed the Dominion Chief Scout that he is commanded by his Majesty the King to convoy to him and to tho boy ami girl scouts of New Zealand an expression of his Majesty's cordial thanks for his message of congratulation and loyalty on the occasion of his Majesty's Coronation.

CHURCH BURNT. lnvercargill, August 15. The Presbyterian Church, a wooden building, in North Invercargill, was destroyed by iire this morning. It was insured for .£251). DUNEDIN FIRE. Dunedin, August 15. A five-roomed house in 1 . South Dunedin, occupied by W. Johnston, carter, was burned down early this morning. Johnston's effects were insured in the Phoenix Ollico for £W5. Tho house, owned by Mr. Cook, a railway servant, was insured in the Commercial Union for