GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 297, 13 November 1934, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

FOREIGN MISSION WORK

A TENSE SCENE. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Nov. 13. Discussing foreign missions at the General Presbyterian Assembly this morning, Rev. G. H. McNeur urged the appointment of an additional doctor and nurse at Canton, while Rev. Mr Gray emphasised the necessity of reinforcements in the Punjab. Acceptance of Mr E. J. Jansen, now in his final year of study, for work in the mission field was authorised.

The Assembly sent congratulations to Rev. O. Michelson, of Auckland, on the attainment of his 90th birthday. Reporting on Church schools, Rev. Mr Standage stated that there was a gratifying improvement in school rolls: over 1000 pupils were being taught. J ust as the Assembly was adjourning for lunch, Rev. P. B. Eraser, standing at the bar, protested against the action of the Assembly clerk in recording the names of ministers who had lodged their certificates, also asking why Rev. Mr Jupp, editor of the Outlook, and Professor Collie had refused publication to his brief statement of faith which some years ago had received the unanimous endorsement of the Assembly. The Moderator (Dr. Dickie) said the brief statement now before the public had never been before the Church and differed very materially from that approved 25 years ago, containing much of which the Assembly would not approve. If Mr Fraser made himself again a member of the Church courts he for one would welcome him and any opportunity he desired for an expression of his honest opinion. The whole matter was out of order and he was sorry to see Mr Fraser “outside the bar looking like a lost soul.” Mr Fraser: You know you have put me out of my own Church. _ The ringing of the bell did not silence Mr Fraser and the Assembly clerk (Rev. Mr McKenzie) movetl that the . police be called to remove him. A tense situation was ended in laughter when Rev. Mr Nordmeyer announced: I have an intimation to make that someone has taken my overcoat by mistake. The adjournment was then taken without further mention of Mr McKenzie’s motion for direct action.