SCENE IN THE SYNOD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 36, 12 February 1892, Page 3

SCENE IN THE SYNOD.

REV. A. R. FITCHETT AND THE PRIMATE.

(BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day. At tho Anglican General Synod yesterday, the Rev. A. R. Fitchett (Dunedin) rose, afcer a report had been disposed of, with a copy of the standing order in his hand. He had gob as far as saying thab he desired to mako a personal explanation, when The Primate, rising hastily, interrupted him, by stating that he could not permit the order of business to be interfered with by any extraneous matter; he therefore called upon bhe Dean of Christchurch to proceed with his motion for tho second reading of his Bill, which was tho next order on the paper. Mr Fitchett pointed out that ho wa3 actin" in cuo fortuity wibh Standing Order No. 19. The Primate, again interrupting, said he had already pointed out thab the business miiFt proceed as set down on the order paper. If Mr Fitchett had anything to bring forward ho must give notice of ib in the ordinary way. Vh- Fitchett then asked leave to read Standing Order 19, which he submitted would mako his position clear. The Primate ordered the rev. gentleman to sit down ; if not, he himself would leave the chair.

The Bishop of Dunedin submitted that any member of the Synod wishing to introduce matter of the kind contemplated by Mr Fitchetb could do so without being oub of order. The Synod should not refuse to hear him ; if it were a right, it should nob be refused him. (Applause.)

Tho Primate : He cannob introduce anything that is not on the order paper. Mr Fitchetb: Pardon me, my lord ; tho Standing Order that I wish to read makes provision for what I desire to do.

The Rev. A. Twogood (Marton) pointed out that Mr Fitchett appealed to the Standing Orders, and had asked his lordship's indulgence to read the particular Standing Order upon which he claimed the right of making a personal explanation. Ho appealed to a printed document, and surely there could be no harm in hearing whab his authority was. (Applause.) M? Fitchetb then read out bhe Standing Order 19, which is as follows :—" By indulgence of the Syncd a member may explain matters of a personal nature, although there is no question before the Synod, but such matters may noi be debated." The Primate said there was no personal matter arising out of bhe proceedings to explain. Mr Fibchebt protesbed that his lordship could not decide thab until he had heard whab the explanation was. After further argument between the Primate and Mr Fitchett, during which the former contended that Standing Order 19 only applied when a member had been misrepresented by anobher speaker, The Primate said if this matter was persisted in he would simply leave the Synod. He should adjourn the Synod at once unless tho Dean of Christchurch wenb on with his motion. The Dean of Christchurch accordingly rose to proceed with his Bill, when the Bishop of Dunedin immediately stepped down from his seat and passed into the retiring room, unrobing as he went through the Synod Chamber. Ho was immediately followed by Mr Fitchett and the rest of the'clerical and lay representatives of the diocese of Dunedin, amidst applause of a section of the Synod. The Bishop of Christchurch and Sir John Hall followed. Aboub half-an-hour atberwards Bishop Neville, Mr Fitchetb, and their fellow members from Dunedin ro-appeared in the Chamber and resumed cheir seats. The business of the Synod had in the meantime been going on during the interval. Mr Fitchett informed a press reporter that in the afternoon the representives of the diocese of Dunedin had held a meeting, ab which they resolved to take steps to vindicate in some way tho Rev. Mi Howell (ono of their number), and that the explanation he desired to make was in reference to this matter.