CHURCH UNION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 10 May 1921, Page 5

CHURCH UNION

PRESBYTERIANS AND CONGREGATIONAiLISTS.

CBTt TELEGKAPB— PRESS ASSOCIATION ) WELLINGTON, May 9. The proposals for a union of the Presbyterian Church and Congregational Church are talcing more definite form.

In accordance with a resolution of the Presbyterian General Assembly, the union committee of that body recently met the union committee of the Congregational Church to consider suggestions made by .the latter .towards, a basis of union. Subsequently the assembly's committee drafted a basis off union, and this is now being submitted to the Presbyterians throughout New Zealand.

Th© General Assembly at its next meeting is in no way bound to accept the basis proposed, as a whole or any part, but it is hoped tha.t either the basis now submitted, or as amended by the Presbyterians, will :be definitely adopted and sent down to the Presbyteries under the Barrier Act. Assuming tlialt the churches- of the Congregational Union approve of the Assembly's finding and returns under the Barrier Act, a satisfactory union may be an accomplished fact. .

The first meeting of ithe united churches takes place, .states the convenor of Ithe Assembly's committee (the Rev. Dr. James Gibib), in 1923, but no union can or will be effected until a Bill has ibeen carried through Parliaent giving the united churches ifull right and title to its properties.