PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14530, 18 November 1910, Page 7

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

BUSINESS CONCLUDED.

TENURE OF MINISTERS.

The business of the Presbyterian Assembly of New Zealand for 1910 was concluded yesterday afternoon. The Moderator (Rev. J. H. McKenzie) presided.

The report of the committee on ministerial tenure stated that almost all the presbyteries and sessions had agreed upon two points of great importance— the abolishing of candidating by restricting congregations to the consideration of one name at a tim 6; second, requiring ministers, except for reasons approved by their presbyteries, to stay at least five years in their charges. To adopt these suggestions slight alterations were necessary to be made to three sections in the order book. On the motion of the Rev. D. McIvor, it was resolved, " Thatfthe amended regulations be sent down to presbyteries under the Barrier Act."

As the result of an overture from the Auckland Presbytery, it was agreed that a standing committee be set up to receive applicants for admission coming from the Church of Scotland, the Irish Presbyterian Church, the Free Church of Scotland, or the English Presbyterian Church, and if their commissions be in order the presbyteries be empowered to receive them. At present such applicants have to await the sittings of the Assembly. •

A petition for signature was forwarded to the Assembly by the Universal Saturday Half-holiday Association. In a covering letter an appeal was made to the Assembly on behalf of the shop assistants who were not enjoying the Saturday halfholiday It was pointed out that there was no uniformity in closing on any one day. The association felt assured that, with the assistance of the Assembly, they would be able to present to Parliament such a petition that Parliament would be unable to refuse their prayer. After discussion, it was resolved, " That the matter be sent down to presbyteries and sessions for consideration, so that the mind of the Church might be fully ascertained, and report to the next General Assembly." On the motion of the Rev. G. K. Stowell, it was resolved that the Assembly make representations to the British Government with a view to bringing to an end the opium traffic in China. The Rev. Jas. Chisholm moved, and Mr. Jas. Reid seconded, and it was agreed, "That* the thanks of the Assembly be given to the Rev. G. B. Monro and the Arrangement Committee for the excellent arrangements made for the Assembly ; to the Rev. A. A. Murray and the officebearers of St. Andrew's for the use of the church, etc., for Assembly meetings; to all friends who have shown hospitality to the members ; to the P.W.M.U. and other ladies for entertaining Assembly at tea; to the Rev and Mrs. Sommerville for tho most enjoyable trip on the harbour; to the press of Auckland for their reports of the Assembly proceedings; to the Press Association ; to the Auckland, Remuera, Carlton, and Devonport • Bowling Clubs for kindly granting the use of their greens; to the Y.M.C.A. for use of rooms, and to the church officer of St. Andrew's (Mr. j W. Swift) for his attendance and kind- j ness." The hearty thanks of the Assembly were also conveyed to the congregations of Auckland for the lavish hospitality to the members, and to the Ferry Company for granting free passes to the Assembly members living in Devonport. On the motion of the Rev. R. Wood, the Assembly passed the following resolutions :"That the Moderator be thanked for his excellent and informing opening address, and express the hope that it be largely read by the people." At the conclusion of the proceedings, the Moderator, in a brief address, thanked the Assembly for the consideration and assistance given to him during the sittings. The 1910 session was then brought to a close by the Moderator pronouncing the Benediction.

As an outcome of the committee's recommendation, the Assembly resolved, on the motion of the Rev. W. J. Comrie, seconded by tie Rev. I. Jolly, "That the next Assembly meet on November 8, 1911, at Dunedin."