MAORI DIOCESE

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1925, Page 2

MAORI DIOCESE

GENERAL SYNOD’S DEBATE. (Special to “Star ”) WELLINGTON, December 3. The question of forming a- ; Maori diocese of the Anglican Church in the I‘rovince- of New Zealand was considered at t'he General Synod yesterday. Archdeacpn. Williams introduced a.

bill whiph it is hoped, will bring about the desired result, and it was read a first time being later discussed in committee, when it was read a second time. Archdeacon Williams said that the Synod agreed that a Bishop should be appointed for the purely Maori districts, the other Bishops to agree to Iris operations being extended in other districts in whic'h Maoris were resident. « “The only idea in creat'ng a diocese for Maoris,’’ said Archbishop Averill, “is for the spiritual welfare of the Maori race, and so that it may be enabled to, make its full contribution to the Church. The following questions seem to me to require satisfactory answers: (1) Is the proposed Maori diocese in accordance with the expressed wish of. the Maoris themselves ?; (2) Would the creation of stic'h a diocese lead to fuller and more effective organisation of Maori work in the province, • and contribute more efficient work amongst the

backward and lapsed Maoris?; Would separate church organisation fop the Maoj'i race tend to accentuate the colour question in New Zealand?; (4) Would the Maori diocese be financially seable ?; (5), Shouild the proposed diocese operate in the whole province or only in the North Island? If the Synod is of the opinion that the bill will realty introduce the colour question in the church, theji I hope the bill will be defeated. A Bishop of the Maoris, (whether Maori or pakeha) and Maori representatives in the General Synod would 'have equal status with the representatives of every other diocese, apd that .itself would emphasise the fact that both races were members of the same church and had equal status therein.” ■ The Archbishop said that there were ample funds available for the new diocese, and existing funds were not likely to suffer any diminution, but rather increased by the Maoris themselves. General assistance could also be looked to from the H.

and AV. William;; Memorial Trust lor Maori work. He did not think ihe work should be restricted to the North Island alone. It would be unfair Io debar the Natives of the South Island from participating in the benefits ; t hoped will he derived from the new scheme. BILL APPROVED. (Per Press Association.) AA r ELLINGTON, December'3. The General Synod of the Anglican Church, now sitting at Wellington has practically accomplished the work for which it was specially convened. A Bishop to the Maori race is now assured, and a synodical organisation has been created. The headquarters of the new Maori d : ocese is to be Te Ante.