LOYAL OATH

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 60, 8 September 1937, Page 12

LOYAL OATH

FUNCTION TOMORROW

CHANGE IN MONARCHY

I Because of the change in the Monj archy of the British Empire, members of the Legislative Assembly will take the oath of allegiance for the second time during the present Parliament when they foregather for the opening of the second session of the 25th Parliament tomorrow afternoon. At the opening session of the present Parliament in March, 1936, members of the House of Representatives, in the absence of ■ a Speaker,-took the oath or made an affirmation in the presence of the clerk, Mr. T. D. H. Hall. Although there is a Speaker this session, it- is necessary that he himself should also be sworn- as a member of the House, and until there is a quorum of 20 members similarly sworn constitutionally the Speaker is without a House so far as the transaction of business is concerned.

It is. proposed to follow, tomorrow; the precedent' established in 1910, when members took the oath of allegiance to King George V upon his accession to the Throne following the death of King Edward VII. On that occasion the oath was administered by the then Clerk of the House, Mr. Henry Otterson, the Speaker (the Hon. Sir Arthur Guinness) being the first member of the House to be sworn. After taking the oath while "standing oh the upper step of the Chair" he remained there until the requisite 20 members had been sworn..

The present Speaker of the House (the Hon. W. E. Barnard) proposes to follow this precedent and he will be the first member to whom Mr. Hall will administer the'oath. In-the Legislative Council the Speaker" (the Hon. Sir Walter Carncross)- will not take his seat until nine members, including himself, have been sworn, and during this interval he will remain standing at the right of the Speaker's Chair.' GROUPS OF FOUR. To enable members of the House to be, sworn prior to attending his .Excellency in the Legislative Council Chamber, it is proposed when the House of Representatives assembles pt 2.30 p.m. tomorrow to call members in groups of four 'to the clerk's table, where they will take the oath of allegiance or affirm their loyalty to his Majesty King George VI. Similar arrangements will be made for the swearing in of members of the Legislative Council in their own Chamber, the officiating officer in this.case being the Clerk of Parliaments, Mr. C. M. Bothamley, who is also Clerk of the Council.

In order that the swearing in may be completed before the GovernorGeneral opens Parliament his Excellency will not arrive at Parliament House until 3.15 p.m. Official visitors were originally advised to be in their places by 2.20 p.m., but as they may not wish to witness the formal swearing in of members of th 6 Council it is proposed to reserve their seats until 3.5 p.m. It :s usual on the opening of Parliament to admit invitation holders from 1.30 p.m. onward, but having regard to the special arrangements the Speaker of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the House of Representatives ;have decided that the doors of the council gallery will not be opened until 2 p.m. Invitation holders are asked to note the alteration, and it is hoped that they will not arrive before, this hour.