GENERAL SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14276, 22 January 1910, Page 6

GENERAL SYNOD.

MAORI MISSION BOARD.

PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION. [ET TisiEGBAPH. — ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Friday. The eighteenth General Synod of the Church of the Province of New Zealand was resumed to-day.

The report of the Maori Missions Board was read. It, stated that, in spite of adverse criticisms, the result of the work of the board had been of no little assistance to the Maori Mission, and it could be claimed that the board had fulfilled its obligations and done valuable service. The accounts showed a credit on December 31 last of £6 16s 6d, since when one diocese had paid in a sum of £1(56. Others were in arrears. The report was received.

Notice was given by Bishop Julius to introduce a new canon, for a scheme of

reconstruction of the board. This proposes that the board shall consist of one bishop, two clergymen in priests' orders, and two laymen, with power to add to their numbers ; the members to be elected trienni.dly; the duties of the board to be to promote an interest in the mission, to raise and receive funds, to transmit such gums as are given for special purposes, and apply other funds received for evangelistic work amongst the Maoris; to obtain from each diocese a full report of all work done therein for the native population, and particulars of finance.

Leave was given to the Ven. Archdeacon Williams to introduce a bill to give practical effect to the recommendations of the commission on matters connected with the Primacy. These were that in future the bishop succeeding to the Primacy shall be styled Archbishop and Primate of New Zealand, also that only one ballot shall be taken. The bill was read, a first time, the second reading being set down for Thursday next.

A bill providing for the making of certain consequential amendments in the constitution, consequent upon the consolidation of the New Zealand Statutes, was read a first time.

On the second reading the bill for the constitution of a college of theology was rejected.

An alteration to canon V., clause 6, is proposed in a bill introduced by Mr. T. F. Martin, the object of which is to clear up a doubt which exists in the canon regarding the appointment- of churchwardens. 'Hie bill was read a first time.

The Printing Committee was instructed to obtain certain particulars of educational, charitable, and other institutions, or rescue homes, in each diocese belonging wholly or in part to this ecclesiastical province.

The Yen. Archdeacon C. C. Harper and Bishop Neligan (Auckland) commented upon the great amount of ignorance of the work done by the Anglican Church in connection with charitable and other institutions. The latter pointed out that a considerable amount of subscription was lost to their cwn particular, institutions by being devoted to those of other denominations, mainly on account of the prevailing ignorar.ee. Bishop Neligan said he did not wish to interfere with the revenue of the other denominations, but their own institutions should have' their first consideration of support-.

A debate on a proposal to adopt the New South Wales system of religious , instruction in schools was unfinished when Synod rose till Monday.