ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9020, 5 February 1895, Page 5

ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

(FKRSS ASSOCIATION TBIiEGBAM.)

NELSO&, February 4. . The Synod resumed at 3p.nl. Mr M. Allen presented ft* petition from 235 former parishioners of the Rev. Algernon Gifford, protesting against the acbiou of the Bishop of Dunedin in refusing that clergyman » seat on the Diocesan Synod, though he held a license, and the Standing Commission decided in hie favour. Notice was given by Mr Allen to refer it to the Select Committee on retired superannuated clergy. On the motion of the Rev. Waters, Archdeacon, Stock was referred to the same Committee. On the motion of the Rev. Besitty, the memorial of the Managers of the Orphan Home, Purnell, waa referred to the Sessional Committee on reports of trustees. Colonel Haultain brought in a Bill to provide for Maori lay representation in Diocesan Synods, by making additions to title B Canon IL The Bill was read a firaD time, and the second reading set down for Friday. A discussion took place on the motion of the Dean of Christchurch— " That the time has come when, for the sake of promoting unity of counsel and action among the various branches of the Anglican Communion, steps be taken towards advancing the further organisation of the several branches,./both jn themselves, and in relation to one another, and that the Lambeth Conference be requested next eessioh to lay down the principles on which euch organisation shall be based, and take such steps as it may deem moat effectual for giving practical effect to the same." The Bishop of Salisbury asked to speak era the question. , Hβ declared himself of opinion that unification was needed for counsel, not for judgment. He thought there was a little danger of colonial Churches becoming too conscious of their independence, but he felt they would not enter on a course of action that would lead to separation. - Eventually the mover withdrew the motion, the feeling of the Synod being against it. It was decided on the motion of Archdeacon Harper—" That the Committee appointed to prepare a brief- statement of the financial position of. the Church in each I diocese its requirements and modes of 1 operation, and - make recommendations thereon to the Synod;" A Bill; brought in. by the Bishop of Christchurch, to enact a new Canon on Deaconesses, was read a first time, and the second reading was set down for Thursday. The Bishop of Waipu presented the report of the Select Committee on the Dunedin ' petition. The Committee made the following recommendations:—(l) That theaa- t pointment by the Standing Committee, oi the Diocese of Dunedin of Dean Fitchett, Canon Lacas, and the Rev. F. W. Martin, as clerical representatives was invalid and ineffectual. (2) That the election of Canon Dodd and the Revs. Cotes and Martin under .writ from the Primate waa a valid election and that the Returning Officer be instructed to make a return to the writ accordingly. (3) That to fill the vacancies caused by the. resignation of Canon Dodd and the Rev. Cotes afresh writ be issued by the Primate." The report is to be considered to-morrow, objection being takes to the suspension of the Standing Orders to allow oi an immediate discussion.