THE ANGLICAN PRIMACY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18941, 12 February 1925, Page 8

THE ANGLICAN PRIMACY.

The election of the Bishop of Auckland, Dr. Averill, to the Angli can Primacy of New Zealand will cause no surprise. Besides being the senior bishop, he has many qualifications for the honourable and highly-responsible office to which General Synod has called him. It would have been astonishing if anyone else had been elected. Ever since he came to New Zealand, over thirty years ago, he has steadily mounted the ladder of service and responsibility. Starting as vicar of an important Christchurch parish, he has been Archdeacon of Akaroa, Bishop of Waiapu, Bishop of Auckland, and now he reaches the highest position the Anglican Church in this Dominion is able to offer —Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand. He has done thoroughly good work in all his previous offices, and it may safely be taken for granted that in the Primacy he will prove a worthy successor of the able and distinguished men who have held this important post from Bishop Selwyn to Archbishop Julius. Dr. Averill will find it no easy task to follow a man like Dr. Julius, with his picturesque and attractive personality; but Dr. Averill can lie relied upon to maintain the fine traditions of the Primacy and to fill the position as effectively even if he may lack some of the spectacular brilliance of his versatile predecessor. His administration of the diocese of Auckland has been characterised by sound common sense, sure, judgment, and effective leadership. Like Dr. Julius, he knows the lay mind, and is able to sec things from the layman's point of view. He has also proved himself an inspiring and trustworthy spiritual guide to clergy and laity alike. Dr. Averill has never been a party man. It is very difficult to label him accurately. He has maintained a broad and tolerant outlook, and his addresses in synod and elsewhere show that, he has kept well abreast of the best modern thought — social and religious. He has taken an active part in the general life of the community. His relations with other religious bodies have been friendly, and he has shown a willingness to co-ope rate with, them in -fforts to promote the common good. He has proved himself to be a good citizen as well as a loyal and progressive churchman. His election to the Primacy will be whole-heartedly endorsed by the Anglican population of the diocese of Auckland, and will give pleasure to hosts of friends and well-wishers of other denominations. The return of the Primacy to Auckland after an interval of twenty-three years is an honour that all Aucklanders will appreciate, and all will join in wishing Dr. Averill a long, happy, and prosperous term of office as Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand.