THE ANGLICAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13393, 23 January 1907, Page 8

THE ANGLICAN SYNOD.

FLF< "I K IN' OF PRIM VIF,

PROPOSKI* AI,TITRATIONS TO

COXSTITUTIOX

[BY IKI.I.OKAI'H. — I'RKSS ASSOCIATION j

Dim din. Tuesday. Ax the sitting of the Anglican (leneral Synod to-night a bill was discussed providing tor an alteration in the present method of electin;; the Primate. It provided thai the bishops of New Zealand should meet in camera for the election, and that the Primate he chosen by the bishops out of their own number by a majority, without. being bound by seniority of consecration or precedency of diocesc. Ihe bill was rejected, the voting being: yes— Bishops. 1; clergy. 11: laity. 5. Noes —Bishops. 6: clergy. 7 : laity. 16.

Resolutions were moved by the Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Wal'.is) to the effect that the Synod was favourable to such modification of lie sixth provision of the constitution of the Church as would permit tin" funeral s-vnod. with the consent of the diocesan synods, to make alteration ill the first live provisions of the constitution. The Bishop said his motion asked tor power to alter one or more ol the first, live clauses of their constitution, which were declared to be unalterable, but there was no reason why tliev should not do this thing if they had a mind. The Rev. W. Beatty refericd to the extreme gravity of the (pi'-st-ion, alio said if. involved roseal eh and legal inipiirv , and people should have written documents before them which they could peruse and digest. Me had been pained to hear from the bishops and others expressions that the ordinary constitution galled and dialed them. '

The Rev. T. H. Sprott supported the mot ion.

The Bishop of ('hristehurch supported the motion. He said he thought there was much need for minor alterations, which would give the Church mote freedom in connection with her services. Fundamental provisions tied their hands. He would sooner see the power of making alterations in the hands of the whole Church than that- it should be left to the bishops alone.

After further discussion the debate was adjourned.