"REAL LEADER."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1940, Page 8

"REAL LEADER."

ARCHBISHOP AVERILL. SUCCESSOR'S TRIBUTE FAREWELLED BY SYNOD. (Ji.v Telegraph.—Press Association.) XELSOX, this day. The General Synod of the Anglican Church in Xew Zealand to-day passed a motion requesting Archbishop Averill to continue in the office of Archbishop and primate until March 31 next, on which date his resignation from the Auckland See will take, effect. A* the same time Synod took the opportanity of farewelling the Archbishop from his official offices. Bishop West-Watson. Primate-elect, expressed thankfulness to God that the Church had at its head one who was a real leader. He had solved the. problem of exercising his influence as a leader without any pontifical powers or the right to dictate to other bishops. The Archbishop had the quality of decision, was always willing to take the responsibility of his opinions, which wore based" on wide experience, human outlook and sound judgment. Biehop West-Watson expressed ihe hope that Archbishop and Mrs. Averill, who had so noblv worked with him, would have many happy years of health and happiness in their retirement. Bishop Bennett, Bishop of Waiap". expressed the feelings of affection of the Maori people for Archbishop Averill. He said he had never met anyone who could speak with greater fluency, and with greater point, in a manner wVicn appealed to the Maori mind. Other speakers included Canon E. MStrong. for the clergy, the Rev. Mr. Revnolds. for the Melanesia!! Mission, and Mr. C. W. Pitts Brown, for the laity. Archbishop Averill thanked all the speakers for their kind words. It was not easv when one came to the end ot a long "ministrv of 4(i years, 30 as a bishop and 15 as an archbishop, to lay down the reins of office, but he thought that in doing so he was doing his duty. The reason, when he announced his decision, was that he wished his successor to go to the Lambeth Conference as Archbishop. That conference-would now not be held this' year, but he felt that his decision to resign should not be changed. He enjoyed good health at present, but he thought it wiser to resign on the early side rather than to leave it until the time when the full duties of his office could not be carried out. Archbishop Averill said he was satisfied that there wa* nothing to fear for the future of the Church of England in Xew Zealand. He had admiration for the work thousands of laymen were doing throughout the province. ''Though retiring from official offices my sympathy, love and prayers will always be with the Church with which I have been so closely associated during the past 46 years," he concluded.