THE ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12425, 14 February 1901, Page 6

THE ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

[Per Press Association.]

NAPIER, Feb. 13,

At the Anglican General Synod this morning Mr Greenwood moved—“ That this Synod desires to protest most emphatically against the proposed 1 granting of licenses for the sale of •intoxicating liquors in. the King Country, in terms -of tire resolution already agreed to by the Diocesan Synod of Waiapu at its session in September, 1900.” An amendment was moved by the Rev G. MacMurray—“ That this Synod urgently requests the New Zealand Government- to issue a Royal Commission to inquire into the illicit sale of intoxicating liquor in the King Country, and to advise as to what steps should be taken to discourage intemperance amongst both (Maoris and Europeans.”

After a long- debate, in which a number of members spoke in favour of State control, the amendment was carried.

On the motion of the Rev C. Harper, seconded by the Dean of Waiapu, it was resolved—“ That this Synod views with gratification the increased support given to the Melanesian mission, during the past year, and desires to express the hope that the Right Rev the Bishops will urge their Clergy and people in 'every parish and parochial district throughout the province to remember the special claims that the Melanesian Islanders have upon them, and to set apart one Sunday in each year for sermons and collections in aid of the mission.”

There was a lively debate over the resolution brought down by the Bench Bishops to tho practical effect that any action as regards the Pacific Islands must have the concurrence of the Bench and 1 .'Synod. This w-as construed as a vote of censure on the Bishop of Dunedin, as the Bishop of Wellington, in introducing the motion stated that all the other Bishops disagreed with the Bishop of Dunedin's action in Tonga with reference to the Rev 'Shirley Baker. Finally -a- compromise was arrived at, the Bishops beingasked to frame a scheme which, while maintaining the present understanding, should not prevent the extension of the work of the church in desirable directions.

There was another decidedly warm discussion on the proposal to cancel the Smallfidds leaso of St John’s College, Auckland, and to re-open it as a theological College, under a. warden. The motion was carried.