THE GENERAL SYNOD.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5199, 13 February 1904, Page 5

THE GENERAL SYNOD.

PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND. February 12. The debate in the Anglican General Synod on the second reading of the Bill entitled “A statute to amend the fundamental provisions of the constitution in such manner ns to provide for the necessary autonomy of tho Church ox the Province of New Zealand”, was completed to-night, the motion being defeated. Archdeacon Williams, wno reminded the Synod that, with the exception of Sir John Hall, he was the only surviving member of the conference which drew up the constitution, opposed the second reading. as did the Bishops of Auckland and Nelson and others. Tho Primate thought they would gain by putting tho constitution into language representing facts in place of the present obsolete terms. Archdeacon Harper in hie reply gsked that the Bill should be allowed to pass its second reading and recordeu in tho minutes to give the dioceses an opportunity of examining it, promising not to go on with the third reading if this were done. The division resulted;— Ayes—Bishops 2, clergy 5, laity 8. Noes— Bishops 3, clergy 8, laity 8. The Bill to give women the right to vote at parish meetings was rejected. The Synod has concluded.