WAIAPU DIOCESE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 238, 26 September 1930, Page 7

WAIAPU DIOCESE

SYNOD CONSTITUTED BISHOP'S PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. MATTERS DISCUSSED YESTERDAY. The Wuiapu Diocesan Synod met yesterday. The clergy formed in procession, and after they hud entered the Cathedral the roll was called, and the Bishop declared the Synod duly constituted. Holy Communion was celebrated, the celebrant being the Rev. A. F, Hull, Epistolier, the Rev. G. Davidson and the Gospeller, the Rev. P. Temuera. The Bishop delivered his presidential address, stating, inter alia: — “It is a matter for congratulation that the diocese has again passed its quota for the Board of Missions. This is as it should bo: the diocese was on its foundation purely a missionary dio eese and it should ever bo forward in support of missions farther afield. “I am glad to be able to report that the Rev. R. L. Barnes, and the Rev. R. Bell, of the Community of the Resurrection, and who have been working in Australia for some time, will bo able to spare us a few weeks before they return home. They will be arriving about the 19th of Januory and will be with us till Easter. They will conduct retreats and conventions, which aro a modified foim of mission. Wc pray that by God’s blessing tho Church life of the diocese will bo much strengthened. ‘ 1 The Lambeth Conference has completed its sittings, and, as you have scon in tho newspapers, has made pronouncements upon several important topics. As you arc aware, the conI'creuee is solely a consultative body and has no legislative powers or functions; but iu view of the fact that nearly all tho Archbishops and Bishops in comniunon with ourselves were present, and took part in tho deliberations, its pronouncements will be weighty, and will undoubtedly affect the future decisions of Provincial Synods throughout the world. It is unfortunate that wc have not yet received tho text of the resolutions passed and tho, encyclical issued, cbmmcnt upon which must bo deferred to a future date.

PARISH ASSESSMENTS. “The standing committee will bo placing before Synod a proposal to assess parishes and districts for tho General Diocesan Fund. At present the only assessment is for pension pur poses. If Synod approves of tho suggestion there will be one assessment covering pensions and the G.D.F. In parishes where the duplex envelope system has been adopted the assessment will be a guide in making up of Ibo budget; in other parishes it will be left to tho official canvasser to see that tho amount of tho assessment is made up. It would certainly be a great advantage to the standing committee if it could have some definite idea of the amount likely to bo niado available from this fund particularly at a time like tho present when the country is passing through a period of financial stringency.”

Tho Synod met for formal business in the Synod Hail at 2.30 p.m. The hours of business were fixed at 2.30 to 5.30 and 7.45 to 9.45 p.m. Mr KibblewLite was appointed chairman of committee, the Rev. W . T. Drake clerical secretary and Mr H. R. Clark luy secretary. Mr Tilson's motion that a select committee be set up to consider resolu tions affecting tho sale of certain areas of land, the committee to consist of Messrs H. Holderncss, M. K. Grant, H. J. Bull, the Rev. Canon C. Mortimer-Jonncs and the mover, was carried. DRAWING UP BUDGET. Mr H. Holderness moved: "That quotas be made on parishes and parochial districts to cover all diocesan needs as shown in tho Dioccsnu Budget, for each year, and the quota for tho Board of Missions.” Ho pointed out that it was quite impossible to draw up a Budget unless the financial authorities of the diocese know beforehand what money was coming in. If a certain sum was required for the running of the diocese, then tho parishes must be rated according to the money required. He thought that an assessment should be made for each parish to cover all diocesan needs. It might be possible ultimately that the stipends of clergy might no guaranteed from such a fund. The main point, however, was that the standing committee was tillable in its budget to make a definite statement on its income side. Under rho present system it budgeted tor its expenditure with some amount of certainty. The aim of the motion was to endeavour to be able to ensure a definite amount of income as was tho case in the mission quotas, which hud worked so well.

Tho motion was seconded by the Rdv. J. Pigott, and it was moved that the Synod go into committee. In committee the motion was amend ed to read: “That a quota be made on parishes nnd parochial districts to lover all diocesan needs as shown in tho diocesan budget.” On resuming the Synod decided to postpone tho debate on the motion. Mr Filsen moved that tho Synod np prove of certain lAnenfftfients to tho rule of the Clergy Pension Board concerning the clergy sick fund. The Synod went into- committee to consider the amendments. On resuming it was reported- that the amendments had been considered and accept ed. ■ , At the evening session, on the motion of Canon Neild, a select centmittee was set up to consider the most suitable time for the meeting of Synod. The Synod went into committee on reports nnd accounts, and the same were adopted. NOTICES OF MOTION. 1. Mr n. Holderncss to move: That one nsiesment he made on parishes and parochial districts to cover nil .lioi-i-san needs as shown the diwes.-.n budget for each year, ami the quota lor/lie Board of' Missions. Amend-

merit: Archdeacon M. W. Butterfield to move.—That quotas be allotted to parishes and parochial districts to cover all diocesan needs as shown iu the diocesan budget for each year.

2. Canon Rico to move.—That this Synod urges tho Clergy Pension Board to keep before it that urgency for an increase of pensions for clergy widows and orphans, and that the board be urged to take any steps po‘ss! ble for this end. 3. Canon Rice to move—That Synod goes into committee to consider the parochial missionary quotas of tic diocese for the current year. 4. Rev. Canon Mortimer-Jones to move. —That this Synod approves of tho new religious instruction in Primary Schools Enabling Bill. 5. Rev. J. Pigott to move—That the Diocesan Missionary Committee be re quested (a) to consider how the Church in Now Zealand can respond to tho last report of the ‘World Call’ to take immediate steps to strengthen and develop her missions to Jews, (b) to include its findings in their next report to Synod.

7. Rev Canon Mortimer-Jones to move.—That this Synod records its appreciation of the splendid work done by Nurse Carter, Miss Waller, Miss Jones and the staffs of fit. Mary’s Home, Abbotsford and St. Hilda’s Homes during the past year.

8. Archdeacon Maclean to move.— That the standing committee be instructed to initiate as soon as is practicable a “second curate fund” to assist tho Church to keep pace with tlie growth of population in the larger parishes.

9. Archdeacon M. W. Butterfield ta move—That Standing Order No. 11 be amended by the insertion, in line 9, of the following clause:—Also on the stiino day it shall be Competent for Synod, on motion without notice, to prueceil to the consideration of reports and accounts wiiieli have been printed and circulated with, tho notices for Synod.