ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 40

ANGLICAN GENERAL SYNOD.

SUMMARY OF BUSINESS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 13. An interesting summary- of important matters to be dealt with by the General Synod, which meets in Wellington on January 20, was given to a representative of the Press by Bishop Julius to-day. First of all, there is the question of securing an alteration in the constitution, so that a fuller measure of independence may be given to the' Church in this country. This question was humorously referred to by the Bishop as a “standing dish.” The Wellington and Christchurch Synods have expressed themselves in favour of a change. Auckland is opposed to it. Dunedin is also thought to be opposed, and the Nelson and Waiapu Synods, Bishop Julius thought, have not yet pronounced upon the question. The Bishop did not think it very likely that anything would be done by the General Synod to bring about an alteration in the constitution. “ I don't know why the idea should be opposed,” he said. f “A good many people prefer breaking the law to mending it. I think, for instance, the constitution binds us to a literal obedience to the Book of Common Prayer, which iiould scarcely be found in any Church in the province. Some of us also prefer to bring the rubrics of the Prayer Book more into line with the possibilities of colonial church life.” “ The question of the Maori Mission is another important subject to be considered. A canon was framed six years ago for the appointment of a Maori Mission Board, and the board has done much to stimulate interest in the mission and to maintain recognition of its colonial character, so that the South Island has lent substantial help to the work in the North Island. From many causes this method of carrying on the work has ■roken down, and it has become necessary o frame some new constitution to further ■he same end. “ The question of theological degrees will also be brought up. The University refuses to grant theological degrees, and it is now under ' consideration whether some scheme may not be adopted by which the Church, either alone or in conjunction with other bodies, should grant facilities for obtaining them. “ A good deal of interest will be taken in the visit of the forerunners of the general mission who are to meet the Synod, and also'in the visit of the Rev. Mi Woollccmbe, organising secretary of the Church of England Men’s Society, who will confer, with the Bishop and others regarding the extension of the work of the society in New Zealand. “ Discussion will probably take place on the question of appointing a primal see, and of the title of the Primate. When it was slated some months ago that the formation of a primal see had been suggested, and that Auckland and Wellington were agreed as to the special claims of Wellington to the distinction, representations were made in the Christchurch Press that in view of its. buildings and endowments, and the number of Christchurch people in the diocese, Christchurch had si stronger claim to the honour. Against these advantages of Christchurch, the principal recommendations of the other cities are, in the case of Auckland, the earlier establishment of the Church in that province, and, in the case of Wellington, its centrality of position.” Bishop Jiilius stated that, while the Christchurch Synod had considered the question generally, it had never gone into the question of which, should be the primal see if one were constituted, and, a matter of fact, he preferred the present system.