AUCKLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7773, 20 October 1886, Page 6

AUCKLAND DIOCESAN SYNOD.

The eession of the Diooesan Synod wae resumed at the Bishop's Library, Bishops* court, at four o'olook yesterday afternoon. The Eight Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, presided, and there were present: — Clergy : Ven, Arohdeaoon Clarke, Ven, Archdeacon Dudley, Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell, Ven. Arohdeaoon Willis, Revs. Alloway, B»ker, Beatty, Biggs, Boler, Burrows, Oalder, Cookayne. Frith, J. K. Davis, Du Rieu, Evans, Gould, flaselden, Hill, Hitohoock, Houchen, Marshall, Nelson, O'Callaghan, Phillips, Purohas, Smallfleld, Tebbe, Walpole, and Wilson. Laity : Armstrong, Bollard, W. H. Brown, Calvert, Cameron, Clayton, Coohrane, Evane, Ewington, Garland, Hall, Hamilton, Hills, Ireland, Jackson, Kissling, Larking, Lawrence, MoCullough, Pierce, Rawlings, Rice, Seth Smith, Snelling, Speight, Upton, and Wilson. The proceedings having been opened with prayer, the olerioal secretary, Mr. Sm&lifield, read the minutes of the previous day's meeting, whioh were confirmed. PRESENTATION. The President laid on the table a presentation from Mr. MoCullough of 200 oopies of a pamphlet, entitled " Two Orders of Chivalry," the object of whioh was to impress upon ohildren kindness to animals. CATHEDRAL SITE. The President laid on the table the report of the oommittee to consider the leasing of the Parnell Cathedral site, and said it would be moved that it should be taken as the first order of the d»y on Wednesday. It was an important question, as there was a claim for property tax, and there wae no fund from which to pay it. The only revenue at present was from the teunis ground, and that only paid the rates. Mr. Kissling moved, "That theoonsider* ation of this report be made the first order of the day for Wednesday," and this was agreed to. TENSION BOARD AND FUND. The debate on Mr. Rawlings' motionthat the report of the Pension Board, also the report of the Select Committee to consider the question of the pension fund, and Mr. Speight's motion in regard to the subject—was resumed in committee, Mr. Upton in the chair. The debate was resumed on the question of appointing two olergymen members of the Pension Board; and, after several members had spoken, it was agreed that the appointments be made as recommended by the Pension Board. The report of the Select Committee appointed to consider the question of the diocesan pension fund was then read. One recommendation of the Board was, "That before any clergyman shall become a benefioiary subscriber to the fund he shall be approved by the Pension Board, who shall have power to assess the rate of his subscription, and to declare any special condition under which he may beoome a subscriber." This clause was discussed, and Mr. Rawlings explained the nature of the provision and the object aimed at by the Board.

Mr. Speight thought it would be better that his resolution should be taken first, as it might tend to shorten proceedings, and with the permission of the chairman (Mr. Upton) he moved his resolution, as follows : —"That no system under which pensions, retiring allowances, or other aids to clergymen or their families become payable can be deemed satisfactory which does not settle. in a definite manner, the amounts so payable, together with the conditions of payment, and make compulsory upon clergy and parishes the contribution to the fund necessary for these purposes." He said the object he had in view was the destruction of the present system as being totally inadequate, for if they continued on the present basis not more than one-third of the clergymen would be able to take any advantage. A system whioh would give a payment annually of 35a for eaoh £2 paid in oould not be continued, for it was thoroughly unsound. Either the number of donors who derive no benefit must be increased in number and quantity or young olergymen must be prepared to contribute without any hope of deriving any benefit from the fund. He then prooeeded at some length to point out the unsoundness of the system, and said no pension fund could be satisfactory which was not on a sound business basis. He pointed out that hie motion went further, and provided that clergy and laity should contribute and be jointly responsible, and the baais of the motion was the payment by compulsion. He quoted statistics on the subject, and dwelt especially on the necessity for making proper provision for aged clergy, urging also that persons before being ordained should pass a medical examination, quoting from Mr. Duncan, Actuary, to show that the Church should not be made a refuge for those unfit for other professions, but that, considering their duties, they should have the pick and stamina of young men. And in conclusion he urged that every clergyman should be insured by the Board, but that all olergymen should alike be entitled to the same benefit from the Board. That would be simply a method of investing the funds by the Board, and let every minister know that he was entitled to certain benefits. He then prooeeded to point out how the funds oould be raised; that parishes and ministers should be bound to contribute, not merely invited to contribute, to the fund. If his resolution was even adopted in principle good would be done, but if they were prepared to adopt it he would bo prepared to name a committee of practical men, who would bring up an efficient scheme, wih the opinions of the beat actuaries, and without cost to the Synod, at the next meeting of the Synod. Dr. Purchas seoonded the motion, and thought they owed a debt of gratitude to Mr. Speight for plaoing a scheme before them for plaoing this important matter on a sound bußineis basis Air, Speight did himself injustice in saying he wanted to destroy this fund, for what he had done was to show them how to establish it on a sound basis. The motion was disouaeed at some length. Messrs. Larkins, Rawlings, and others took part in the debate, Mr. Rowling* giving a number of statistics as to the payments made in proportion to the amounts paid into the fund, Arohdeaoon Willis, Mr. Ewington, Rev. Mr. Haseldkn, Mr. G. P. Pierce, Arohdeaoon Maunsell, Rev. Mr. Richards, and the Rev. Mr. Burrows having spoken, the debate wm interrupted by the six o'clock adjournment. The debate was resumed at seven o'clock by the Rev. Mr. Marshall, who referred to the steps which had been taken in this matter by the Church of Ireland. It was on the lines of the proposition made by Mr. Speight; £6 per annum had to be paid by every clergyman, and the assurance waa obtained of an annuity of £33 to tbe widow, and £5 each for orphans up to 21 years of age. Each clergyman was, therefore, insured by the payment of this £6 of these results to his family. He compared this with the uncertainty of the pension fund in this diocese, where all was uncertainty, and the fund was decreasing. The Rev. Mr. NEL9ON saw no reason why Mr. Speight's motion should not be carried, as well as the report of the committee, to stand as a separate motion of the Synod, and even if nothing was done this session it would stand on record, and steps could be taken regarding it next session; but hie object was to show that passing Mr. Speight's motion did not supersede the others, and he hoped both would be carried. Mr. Speight's motion was then put and carried on the voices. The first recommendation of the report was then carried without discussion. The second recommendation was, "That in all cases in which contributions either in surplice fees or special collections do not amount in any year in the aggregate to the sum of £4 in the oase of au organised parish, and of £2 in the case of a parochial district, the parish or district shall make up the amount to £4 or £2 respectively as the oase may be, provided that these sums respectively are not to be taken as other than minimum contribu' tions." The Ven. Archdeacon Willis pointed out that suoh proportionate contributions might have tbe effect of preventing country dietriots becoming parishes, but Mr. Rawlings considered that such a small amount would not have the effect feared by Archdeacon Willis, and ia answer to Mr. Lawrence as to the same rate being levied on poor and rich parishes, Archdeacon Dudley pointed out that it was carefully stated that there was a minimum subscription. He pointed out that the amount contributed by English clergymen was not merely £2 per annum, but amounted to £5 10s, including surplice fees and collections, and he pointed out that the lavish grants of former years were not now the rule. They had beoome increasingly cautigus, and the grants were now carefully

regulated. He also reminded them that ] Waiapu and Melanesia were interested in this fund, and Waiapu had not followed them in the way of surplice fees or collections. The motion was put and carried. The next recommendation was, " That a clergyman's widow who shall be more than ten years her husband's junior in age shall not be entitled to any pension from the fund for a longer period than the term of expeo* tanoy of life according to the Carlisle tables, of a person ten years younger than the de. ceased clergyman at the time of her death." Mr Upton explained that this meant that that if a clergyman 60 years of age married a young woman of 20 years, and died at that age her age would be taken to be 50 years, and reoeive an annuity accordingly. Mr. Hawungs also made an explanation, and quoted tables and illustrated them by several supposititious cases. Mr. Speight spoke against the motion, and the Rev. Mr Marshall opposed the motion as being unjust to the widows, who when their pensions ceased would be left with nothing before them except to depart to the deceased or go to the workhouse. The resolution was discussed at considerable length. Mr. Gould moved as an amendment" That when a clergyman widow's annuity only extends a certain number of years this annuity be reduced per annum according to an equitable calculation and the pension be continued as long as she lives." The original motion was struck out and Mr. Gould's amendment was put in the form of a motion, The Ven. Archdeacon Dudley then moved, " That in the event of the marriage, yr remarriage of a clergyman the Board should be at liberty to rearrange the terms of his subscription." His Lordship pointed out that the word remarriage was unnecessary and it was struck out. The motion was adopted. The next recommendation of the report, waa " that all pensions to widows shall cease on the marriage of the recipient. One member pointed out that this was unnecessary, as if the widow married she ceased to be a widow, but Mr, Rawlings pointed out that in some instances the ohildren as well aa the widows received pensions, and this would only apply to the widow herself. The Chairman of Committee then reported progress. The Synod resumed, and Mr. Upton moved the adoption of the resolutions on the Pension Board report, and they were put seriatim. A alight amendment was made in the clause referring to a clergyman making "a declaration, &c," by which, in the event of his being unable to do so personally, it oould be made by some person on his behalf. Mr. Marshall moved, "In regard to the olause re the marriage of a clergyman 60 years of age, his widow should only be entitled to payment at such disparity rates as laid down by the actuary." The amendment was lost, and the motion, as agreed to in committee was carried. Mr. Upton then moved Mr. Speight's motion, but pointed out that this Synod could not nee compulsion, that rested with the General Synod. He also pointed out that some steps must be taken to enforce on the parishes the carrying out of the resolutions of the SynodMr. Speight intimated that if the resolution was carried he would move an addition to it. His object was to get rid of the sub* ject at once. The motion as carried in committee was put and carried. The resolutions on the report of the Select Committee were then put to the Synod seriatim, and carried without discussion. Mr. Speight then moved tbe suspension of the standing orders, whioh was agreed to. Mr. Speight then moved, "That the Pension Board for the coming year be requested to prepare for the next session of the Synod a plan for the carrying out of the foregoing resolution, such plan to include a scale of payments and benefits." Mr. Upton seconded the motion provided it was altered to a select com mittee consisting of the Pension Board for the coming year. Mr. Speight accepted the amendment, and it was carried. Mr. UproN then moved, " That the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley and the Rev. C. M. Nelson be appointed the clerical members of the Pension Board." This was unanimously agreed to. Mr. Lareins then moved "That the Pension Board be instructed to ask an explanation of the clergymen and districts who have sent in no returns of surplice fees or offertories during the last year why they have not done so. The motion was carried. GENERAL CHURCH FUND. Mr. Ewisgton moved, " That it is desirable to take immediate steps to raise the nucleus of a fund of £10,000 to augment the stipends of the clergy of the diocese, and that Archdeacon Dudley be respectfully requested to canvass the diocese for this purpose." He pointed out that some of their clergy were very inadequately paid, and many of them had to keep a horse and pay house rent. It was not to the interest of the Church that ministers should be badly paid, for they could not expect young men to come forward if they were not adequately paid. The present system worked unsatisfactorily, He believed if Archdeacon Dudley oould be induced to canvass the diocese ho would do a great deal of good, and he would meet with a very hearty reception, and he suggested how small sums oould be collected by money-boxes and in other ways, and said the Bishop could arrange for supplying Archdeacon Dudley's place at St. Sepulchre's, and the expenses (about £150) could be met easily. Archdeacon W 4LLI3 seconded the motion, and spoke in support of it. The motion was discussed at considerable length. The Rev. Rev. Mr Tebbs, with the concurrence of the mover of the resolution, who withdrew his motion, moved, "That the Standing Committee be requested to try to give effect to the recommendation of the Select Committee tj organise a fund to augment the stipends of the clergy." The motion was carried after a short diecussion. OKMETBRY COMMITTEE REPORTS. Rev. W. Tebbs to move, " That the report of the Cemetery Committee of Synod be next considered and adopted (as far as approved), or otherwise." The following motion by Dr. Purghas was considered at the same time :—" That the report of the Cemetery Committee be adopted." ' The report was as follows :—" That as under the present arrangements the public cemetery at Waikomiti is practically inaccessible, not only for the purpose of burials in the oases of persons of small means, but also for the visiting of graves by friends, your committee recommend the Synod to ask the trustees of St. John's College to set apart and open up forthwith a portion of the College estate as a Church of England Cemetery." In speaking in support of the motion, Dr. Purchas pointed out several places eminently suitable for the purposes of a cemetery. He also referred to the great expense of funerals to Waikomiti, and the impossibility of poor persons visiting the graves. The Rev. Mr. Tebbs seconded the motion, and said the feeling in Auckland was very strong against the present cemetery, on account of its distance and unsuitability. He had conferred with reliable undertakers and Mr. Crowther, and found the cost would be only half to St. John's of what it would be to Waikomiti. He had received offers of two very suitable sites if this oould not be obtained, one within twenty minutes of the centre of the city, and one within forty minutes, that was, of cour ae, provided the Sb, John's College trustees could cot open the site. The Rev. Mr. Hill suggested that they should combine with other religious bodies. Mr. Pikkok suggested that they should combine with the Catholics. Bishop Luck had very strong views on the subject, and was opposed to any of his people ■ being taken to Waikomiti. Dr. PoitCHAS coincided in this view, but Mr. Larkina thought they should confine themselves to their own wants. The President thought they should keep the recommendation of the Committee as it was, and deal with it. The motion was adopted. The further discussion of this subject waa postponed. NOTICES OF MOTION. The following notices Of motion were received — Mr. Kissling to move, " That the report of the committee on the leasing of the cathedral site be considered by the Synod." Ordered to be taken aa first business on Wednesday. Tbe Rev. J. K. Davis to move, "That the beat thanks of the Synod be given to the lay-readers .of the diocese for their valuable and efficient cervices."

J The Rev. A. G. Pcbohas to move, " That the trustees of nine acroa of land belonging to the ohuroh at Epsom be requested to open the same as a Church of England Cemetery." The Synod adjourned at ten o'clock until four o'clock this afternoon. At the annual Church meeting in oonneotion with the Dioocsan Synod the Rev. Mr. Beatty, warden of St. John's College, read a very able and exhaustive paper on "Pauperism;" but want of space prevents our republishing at length. He briefly referred to pauperism in England, where nearly a million people ware receiving State support at a cost of £8,000,000 a year. That was the financial aspect of the question. But that was nothing to the moral and spiritual waste, the loes of manliness, independence, and self-respeot, the growth of laziness, helplessness, untruthfulnesa, cowardice, ingratitude, envy, jealousy, meanness, and sometimes vile hypocrey. Hβ knew of nothing in God'e earth so horrible aa the pauperism of Christian and civilised England. On coming to this colony he was told by a good many people that this was a land of independence, where no one went hat in hand to the rich or great to cringe or beg for favours. He said nothing, but determined to wait and see. In nine months he observed (1) that people of all classes looked for Government aid and Government patronage to a much greater extent than at home; (2) that in Auckland there are two refuges for the poor, in which thirty persons are maintained, mostly at the public expense ; (3) that there exists a benevolent society for the relief of destitution, besides a soup kitchen and other public doles ; (4) that it is 1 the habit of a country where labourers' wages are from 6a a day and upwards, periodically to start Government or munici--1 pal relief work for the unemployed. He had no desire and no cause to make little of ■ the oolony in which he had made hie home, ' and where he was earning hie living, but he believed that any thinking man would dig- ' cover here the germs, and more than the ' germs of that frightful evil of pauporism, which ; was the blot, and might go far to be the ruin ' of England. Some of the most potent causes ' of destitution were moral, existed not in the 1 laws or in the state of sooiety, but in the individual—in drink, extravagance, unthrift, ' folly, laziness, appeals for alms were continually made, and backed up by texts of r Scripture, but indiscriminate almsgiving was > not true charity. St, Paul said plainly, "If 1 a man will not work, neither shall he eat." 1 Hβ enjoined upon his hearers the duty of '< giving wisely and well. If there was to be ' State relief at all, it ought only to be for 1 those who had brought want on themselves, and who were absolately unable to work. 1 The deserving poor, those who had been ' brought down through sickness, accident, or 1 unforseen misfortune, ought never in a 1 Christian country to be exposed to the indignity of asking or receiving public doles. The kindly and judicious assiatance of their brother man ought to prevent that.