RAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9652, 8 July 1919, Page 5

RAKAIA.

On Monday evening a meeting of tho congregation* of St. 'Andrew's, Presbyterian Church "was held in order to discuss the proposal that the Assembly should set up a commission to'find a basis of union with the Methodist and Congregational Churches.. The Rev. A. S. Morrison occupied the chair, and the Rev. Mr Miller and Mr Lane, i delegates from Ashburton,- addressed the meeting iv favour of .the proposal. The point was stressed that at present the congregation was not asked to vote for or against union, but simply ontthe question" of the advisability or otherwise cf appointing a commission to go further into the matter. Several members and adherents spoke on the question, and opinions were by no means all on one side Mr Boyd, or Barr Hill, protested against only the* ono meeting in the charge being called to consider the matter. He thoucht meetings should be held in each of the six centres. Ho moved-" That this meeting strongly objects to the_ an ion of churches as prooosed by the Presbyterian Assembly." The. motion wa« seconded by Mr C. Tucker. As an amendment. Mr O. W. .Ross moved— "That, this meeting is in favour.oi » commission being sot up. as suggested, by the Presbyterian Assembly, to consider the basis of a possible union of the throe churches, provided that the courts of those churches give every member and adherent p. final vote in the matter." Tho .opinion wsis expressed that the question should mv finally be decided by assemblies and sessions, bub by the votes of con K re|jWr tions;. Tho amendment va* seconder. ,by Mr McKolo. and campd. the voting hlhe: For tho amendmor,t < --Men,be 1 - 8, adherents 4; for the mobon-Men,-bors 4, adherents 1. Eventually it v.v agreed to issue ballot papers at nil tin* centres in tho ch.'-rge, ir eluding Ralcaia and hold another plebiscite qi the question, so as to have more yor^ recorded. A vote of thanks to, theP W« was passed by ncelamat-ion.