UNANIMITY OBTAINED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 301, 20 September 1928, Page 13

UNANIMITY OBTAINED

CHURCH OF ENGLAND BILL ANOTHER VITAL STAGE PASSED The Church of England Empowering Bill passed through another vital stage yesterday. The Select Committee appointed by the House of Representatives to consider the Bill and bear evidence presented its report, and the few remarks that were made indicated that the Bill will go through its third reading, as unanimity had been secured among the interests concerned. An important amendment made by the committee is the addition of a clause expressly stating tlmt nothing in the Act shall annul, limit, or abridge the inherent power of the Supreme Court to prohibit a. ything purporting to be done under the Act on the ground that it is not a bona-fide exercise of the powers, conferred by the measure. The committee s report stated ‘hat the clause was added to provide for the retention of the inherent jurisdiction of the civil court. xAnother amendment provides clearly that laymen shall elect their representatives on the tribunal, and 0 clergy shall elect theirs. When the strength ot the tribunal is added to by the creation of a new diocese, the additional members are not to have a vote on any appeal which had been commenced at the date of their consecration or election. Discussing the report, Mr. 11. Atmore (Nelson) said that the question of doctrine had been so protected as to meet the objections made to the Bill. Mr. 11. G. R. Mason (Eden) said the Bill as amended represented the unanimous desires of all the parties concerned. The reservations made regarding doctrine had overcome what nervousness had existed. While admitting that the fears entertained had largely disappeared, as a result of the evidence given before the committee, Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) said that he felt that it might have been advisable for Parliament to have deferred its sanction to the proposed alteration in the constitution until it was known what would happen. Mr. W. J. Girling (Mairan) pointed out that the Bill made ample safeguaids to prevent anything being done that •ould imperil th doctrines of the church. Should alterations in the interest of all the members of the church as a whole be required, the Bill provided the means, at the same time protecting the trusts held by the church. The chairman of the committee (Mr. F. F. Hockly) said that one of the most important statements made before the committee was that ol His Grace the Archbishop that the disestablishment of the Church of England at Home was not the impossibility some people thought. Under the present conditions in New Zealand the adoption of a revised Prayer Book here could be carried by one vote, but under the Bill there would have to be a majority of two-thirds in each, order, and. as well, a majority of the diocesan synods. The committee’s report was tabled. NOT A “UNITED”

MR. R. W. SMITH’S POSITION It was disclosed in the House of Representatives yesterday that the Nationals! member for Waimarino (Mr. R. W. Smith) has not thrown in his lot with the new United Party. During the debate on the annual report of the Government Printing Office, Mr. 11. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) described a contention made by Mr. Smith during the discussion as being absolutely ridiculous. He was surprised at a member of the new political party making such a statement. Mr. Smith: Ido not belong to the new party. Mr. Armstrong: I don’t think you would be very much credit to any party. Mr. Speaker: Order! Order! Mr. Smith: It seems to be worrying you. Mr. Armstrong: It will worry you bye and bye. Mr. Speaker: Order!

The Public Petitions Committee reported to the House of Representatives yesterday that it had no recommendation to make with respect to the petition of Sydney- Tovey, of Wellington, for compensation for alleged neglect of medical treatment after injury received on a troopship. The Minister of Justice (Hon. I'. J. Rolleston) informed Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) in the House of Representatives yesterday that he was now considering representations recently made regarding the retiring age of members of the police force. As soon as the information he required was available he would bring the matter before Cabinet.