PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19528, 10 July 1925, Page 10

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

NOTES FROM PREgS GALLERY. (From Oc® Own Correspondent.) j WELLINGTON, July 9. THE FERRY STEAMER MARAROA. A deputation is to wait on the Minister of Marine to-morrow morning regarding the Union Steam Ship Company’s steamer Mararoa. FOREIGN LEMONS. Mr D. G. Sullivan will ask the Minister of Customs to say that there will be no increase in duty on foreign lemons imported into Now Zealand. THE ELECTORAL LAW'S. Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland East) gave notice to-day to ask the Minister in charge of the Electoral Department whether he will introduce legislation this session to prevent candidates for Parliament attempting to influence the electors by giving holidays to school children and supplying electors with free strawberries . and cream. HOUSING FINANCE. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) proposes to ask the Minister of Finance whether he approves of a statement made by the Minister of Education that the 4i per cent, rate of interest for housing advances will have to be increased, and whether in the event of this increase being made tho old rate of 4i per cent, would apply to applicants already awaiting loans. TEACHERS’ OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. Alfred Wm. Page, of Christchurch, school teacher, is petitioning Parliament for the removal of disabilities as a school teacher in having to take the oath of allegiance. The reservation he desires to make to the oath is “So long as this obligation continues not to conflict with what I consider to be my duty to God.’’ Through not complying with the Act, lie was, in 1922, removed from the position of master at the Christchurch Boys’ High School, and has not since been allowed to hold employment as a school teacher. He has since signed the affirmation of allegiance with his reservation added. COCKLE OOYB. Whoever promoted the petition which was laid before Parliament to-day for the preservation of Cockle Cove, in Queen Charlotte Sounds, succeeded in getting a long list of signatures. TJie first name is Sir Joseph Ward, and there follow many well-known names of professional and business men. The bay is in the Bay of Manv Coves, and is used regularly as an anchorage by visiting yachtsmen. The cutting ot native bush is proceeding there.