MINISTER RESIGNS

Evening Post, Issue 25, 30 January 1935, Page 20

MINISTER RESIGNS

MAYOR OF DUNEDIN

STANDING FOR CLUTHA

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, January 29,

The dual office of the Rev. E. T. Cox as Mayor of Duncdin and minister at tho Mornington Methodist Church was challenged a.t the September quarterly meeting nt that church, the feeling being expressed that a minister should devote his whole time, to his pastoral duties, and that meeting extended an invitation to an Auckland minister to take charge, which invitation was declined. At tho samo time tho Trinity Methodist quarterly meeting received a remit recommending that any minister before accepting a paid civic or Parliamentary appointment must resign from the ministry.

Tho position was clarified at the quarterly meeting of the Mornington Church last night, when a congregational petition, containing 170 names, was presented, praying that Mr. Cox be invited to remain a further year. The petition was granted by a vote of 19 to 7, but Mr. Cox expressed regret that the hostility of a small section which had communicated itself to the connexional officers of the Dominion Church made it impossible for him to accept. Mr. Cox's term as minister expires early in April, leaving him free for Mayoral duties and for the candidature of the Clutha seat, for which he has accepted the Labour Party's nomination,