GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 47, 19 November 1925, Page 12

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

CONCLUDING BUSINESS COMMITTEE’S REPORTS Bx Telegearh.—Press Association Dunedin, November 17. The Presbyterian General Assembly accomplished a good deal of business this morning, and adjourned to complete its work this evening. The report on the revised church hytnnary was presented by a committee which had kept in touch with the Edinburgh committee which had been engaged in preparing the revised edition. The draft of the new book included a fine hymn by the Rev. Dr. Merringtou, of First Church, Dunedin. The report of the committee on standing committees was much the same as last year, except that tlie Presbytery of Wanganui, with the Rev. John Paterson as convener, is the temperance committee, and that the new Protestant principles committee is the Presbytery of Ashburton, with the Rev. A. S. Morrison as convener. The Assembly decided that the site of the new Maori girls’ college should be at ■ Marton. It was suggested that the name be the Maori equivalent of the surname of the Rev. David Gordon, who first proposed a Maori girls’ school. A suggestion of the theological committee that Hebrew no longer be a compulsory subject in the ordinary curriculum was agreed to, and the committee was instructed to draw up an alternative couise which should exclude that subject for those who had "been exempted by the Senate. Gratification was expressed at the prospect of the University of New Zealand granting degrees in. theology. A deliverance on industrial order, expressing sympathy with the legitimate aims of labour, was adopted. Similar sympathy with the aims of the League of Na'tions was expressed when the report on that subject was considered. It was stated that Dr Gibb had rendered noble service in the last few vears of a very strenuous lifo to the furtherance of the League ol Nations Union. • The Assembly discussed whether a minister from overseas exchanging pulpits for a time with a New Zealand Presbyterian minister should be em powered to conduct ma riages, and it was ultimately resolved that he should have that privilege. , It was resolved to take mo action in the matter of a recognised translation of Scripture which came up by overTlie Rev. Tipler moved that it be a recommendation to the New Zealand Alliance that it work for local option on a provincial basis, and this was carried unanimously. . Mr. J. W.. Jack was appointed auditor. ' , Memorial minutes were read. Formal votes of thanks and closing exercises ended the business of the Assembly.