THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22249, 13 November 1937, Page 16

THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

DISCUSSION ON WORLD AFFAIRS EXTENSION OF MANDATE SYSTEM FAVOURED (raESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, November 12. Good progress was made with the business of the Presyterian General Assembly to-day. The theological hall committee reported that the supply ot students for the ministry continued to be fairly regular, and men of good quality were coming forward. An active debate was held at the evening session on international re'ations. A resolution favouring the extension of the mandate system to cover all colonial territory and dependencies was adopted. The Rev. F. H. Wilkinson suggested that New Zealand should place the Ross Sea dependency under the League of Nations to indicate its willingness to share resources. The Rev. J. D. Smith said the mandate was the only way out of the dispute over the possession of territories inhabited by backward peoples. The Assembly would not accept the committee's proposal, that tho Dominion should consult, the League of Nations on its armament programme, and passed on to the next clause. It expressed hearty appreciation of the work of the New Zealand High Cornmissionaries by £2O and £lB respecon the League Assembly, but declined to discuss conscientious objection to compulsory military service. The appointment of the Rev. L. M. Rogers as editor-manager of the "Outlook" was confirmed.

Proposals for raising the stipends of ministers and married ordained home missionarie by £2O and £lB tively were discussed. The scheme was presented by the social committee to provide means, beyond the extension of church budgets, for raising and stabilising the stipends. The scheme provides for a central fund for (he maintenance of the ministry.

The convener (the Rev. A. MacFarlane '.Southland) said that 128 ministers were receiving less than the proposed minimum of £3OO.

On the motion of the Rev. Dr. J. D. Salmond (Dunedin), it was decided to refer the recommendations to the sessional committee to report back to the present session of the Assembly.