REAL CHURCH UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 134, 9 June 1925, Page 6

REAL CHURCH UNION.

There has been a great deal of talk about Church union, but very little practical result. Canada has now shown the way. A practical union of Churches has just taken place, there; the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches have been united under the title of tho United Churches of Canada. This new body contains 8700 congregations, with a total membership of 2,500,000. The movement was helped very considerably by the difficulty experienced in different denominations of ministering in an effective ma'ivner to their respectivo congregations in scattered and sparsely-populated settlements. In many cases there was already a kind of settlers' church, where services were given on different Sundays in the month by ministers of each denomina-

lion in turn. These services were attended each Sunday by a combined congregation consisting of members of all the different bodies. There had thus arisen a species of co-operation and unity without any of the practical advantages of corporate union. It will now be possible in many of these places to establish a parish with a minister of its own. Greater difficulty will naturally be experienced in small places where there were two or more church buildings, eneh with its handful of adherents. It is to settle mnny of the practical difficulties which have arisen in regard to property and organisation that the present conference is beinjj held at Toronto. Fifteen hundred delegates are attending , this conference, and therefore all the minor difficulties which are inseparable from the union will have a pood chance of beinp fully debated and finally adjusted. The practical advantages of union have been found to be so great that many who at first were inclined to bold aloof have now thrown in their allegiance. In the three great Chvirchrs which have now amalgamated there are not many outstanding questions of difference in belief and doctrine. The divisions that separate them are mainly connected with church order and government. It would be different had the question arisen of amalgamation with what are known as the Catholic Churches. Hero tlic all-important matter of the validity of orders would have had to come up for and this hitherto has proved the greatest bar to reunion. It was not to be expected that such a large and important movement would take place without some friction. A number of Presbyterians have refused to join the new body and are staying outside in a Church of their own with the title of "Continuing Presbyterians." These are mainly members of the Church who have come from the Old Country, and who have not fully grasped the difficulties of Church life' in Canada as compared with the settled Presbyterianism of Scotland. In time, us the value of union becom°s more apparent, it is probable that many of those who are now opposing it will join in tiir amalgamation. Canada has made the first great step forward towards practical reunion, and her example is almost certain to be followed in due time in other countries.

".Mr. Chairman, I object to 'slinging ofT when once the business is passed.'

So said one of the commissioners at the Xcw Lynn Town Board last evening. The speaker went, on to say that he considered he had been treated by a fellow-member in a discourteous manner by his reference to a matter that had been disposed of by the board, and he desired the chairman to obtain an

apology. However, the chairman's persuasion was not necessary, for the

offending member promptly assured his colleague that he had not intended to be discourteous, and regretted that it had been taken that way. This ended the incident, and the liveliest "spark" of the evening was of short life.

All money collected in heavy traffic license fees from owners of vehicles that are liable under the City Council's bylaws will be pooled at the end of the year and distributed among the local bodies within the area specified In the regulations. This was stateil in a letter from the Auckland City Council received nt the meeting of the Mount Eden Borough Council last evening. The letter asked the Mount Eden Council to set out clearly in its advertisements dealing with the matter that, its demand for fees applied only to lorry owners who were not liable to the City Council. The council decided to reply that information to this effect had been supplied to owners and the regulations fully complied with ir. the terms of the advertisement.

Often despised on account of its somewhat biting flavour, the "Poorman" orange was praised highly at n meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture yesterday when the need for the extension of the citrus fruit industry was discussed. Mention was made of the fact that the fruit, if picked while green and treated correctly, is in every way the equal of the finest variety of American grapefruit. Members were of opinion that the orange was misnamed, and that it was a form of grapefruit which was originally an importation from China. The chairman related a story which went to show that the first trees of the variety in New Zealand had been grown on the late Sir George Grey's property, Kawau Island, during 18o(i.

The new motor ambulance for use on the North Shore was taken across the harbour yesterday and housed in Naugliton's garage. When the ambulance appeared at the vehicular stage at the bottom of Hobson Street, and the officers of the company were told that it was on its way to its permanent quarters, they said that their instructions were that no fees would be collected when the vehicle crossed the bar/bour. When the ambulance arrived at Dovonport and was being inspected by a number of prominent residents, warm appreciation was expressed at the generous action of the Ferry Company, and it was pointed out that the concession will amount to a sum totalling three figures each year, and be a relief to poor and sick people, who will fully appreciate it.

With heavy rain falling on Wednesday morning last when the Auckland Racing Club just before noon began the three days' winter racing the outlook was not at all good, and with a substantial decrease in the totalisator returns on the opening day compared with the first day of the winter meeling last year, the indications were that the receipts at the conclusion of the gathering would not be up to those of 1024. However, on Saturday and yesterday the public mustered in strong force, and betting freely it was found when the figures were totalled up last evening that the amount handled at the totalizator for the three days was £218.010 10/. or an increase of £22,514 10/ on the 1f1'24 total at the winter meeting.

Witli the closing down of the freezing works and flaxmills and other seasonal occupations that employ great numbers of workers, the labour market weekly Ijecomes more crowded with people in search of work (says the "Southland News"). Even in the building line, which until quite recently was hampered by a scarcity of good tradesmen, is now fully supplied, and there is difficulty in placing any but expert hands. There are very few openings for unskilled workers in the city, and there is a regiment of men waiting to fill them. The farm industry is really the only one that is demanding labour at the moment. There is a constant demand for ploughmen, while married couples are sought at wages up to £luO. Thenis also the usual demand for boys and girls.

Some excitement was created at the town wharf on a recent afternoon when fat bullocks were being loaded on the Ripa (pays the Wanganui "Herald"). One bullock conceived the idea that he would like to thoroughly explore his nmv quarters before settling down for a coastal trip to Lyttelton. Uninvited he went from one part of the ship to the other, and there was a display of activity that would have gladdened"the heart of any shipping magnate. At last the bullock singled out a man who had a tally book in his hand, and the latter in response to the charge, beat all records in climbing the rigging. The bullock then took a header over the side and struck out for the shores of Putiki. where he could obtain a mixed diet of luxuriant grass and blackberry.

There are more ways than one of showing displeasure with a team that does not come up to expectations (remarks the Wanganui "Herald"). In a e<ip competition a week ago there was engaged a team of Maoris. They are in the fortunaate position of all living in the one pa. a compact one, and having no distance to travel to practices, and having little else to do, are practically always on the field. They played against a team of pakehas and were badly beaten. Their strongest supporter is their chief, who. by the way. is also their spiritual advisor. So disgusted was he that he curtly informed the crestfallen warriors that on Sunday there, would not be any divine service, and there was not. Evidently failure to receive the Sunday message which cheers so many was responsible for their defeat again on Saturday. Sentence has not yet been announced.

During the course of the meeting to make arrangements for entertainins the oflirers and men of the American Fleet when they visit Auckland in August some pointed remarks were made about the smallness of the meeting of citizens called by the Mayor for the purpose. Whilst making certain suggestions, Mr. M. Cau<rhey caused a laugh when he said. "This is a meeting »f citizens, wluher thpy arc here or not.' . As a matter of fact, only about a score of people were present.

"Peoinsr that America lias ? mio dry. I think tlir> temperance bodies in Auckland should be asked to assi=t. v said a speaker, amidst laughter, at yesterday's mectinjr in the Council Chamber*, when ways and moan? wore being discussed to entertain the officers and men of the American Fleet.