PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 16

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. AUCKLAND, November 27. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church continued its meetings today. MASTER OF KNOX COLLEGE. Concerning the Knox College mastership, it was agreed that Dr Merrington’s appointment should take effect as from January 1, 1929, that it be terminable on 12 months’ notice from the assembly or six months on the part of the master, and that the Presbytery of Dunedin be directed to take steps for Dr Merrington’s induction to his office. CHURCH FINANCE. The church property trustees reported that £27,850 was received during the year in repayment of investments and deposits, and £28,850 was invested in mortgages, debentures and deposits. The treasurer’s statement expressed pleasure in the fact that while finance was not easy, there was every reason for thankfulness, and talk of retrenchment need not be indulged in. Especially the foreign missionaries should not be embarrassed by fear of the recall of workers. The report added: The remarks made last year regarding remittances may well be repeated, not in order to say anything new, but, if possible, to bring it home to treasurers and others that quarterly, or at least frequent, remittances to the general treasurer are very desirable. They are indeed necessary in the best interests of the work. A word may be added regarding the splitting up of contributions. Nothing is gained by dividing up contributions for mission and other funds into an inordinate number of small amounts. The recording and reporting of from 50 to 100 items from one congregation makes neither for clearness nor economy, and it is hard to see that it serves any useful purpose. A large number of congregations do not contribute to all the schemes of the church. Ninety-two congregations have contributed, nothing to the Youth the Church Fund; 136 nothing to the Theological College Fund; 159 nothing to the Evangelistic Fund, and 168 nothing to the Chaplains and Camps Fund. This state of matters should not continue. Attention may also be called to th 6 want of proportion in giving shown in some cases ■where practically the whole of the contributions of a congregation are given to one particular branch of mission work or to orphanages, to the neglect of all the other schemes of the church. There is evidence of one-sidedness here, and sore need for education. Mr D. G. Clark, on the Quarter Million Pound Fund, eaid that the time had passed when the church should depend upon spasmodic appeals. The envelope system was an effort to avoid such casual efforts. To secure the large sum asked for it was necessary to jrnake sure of small and regular sub-

scriptions rather than to depend upon securing large donations. Dr Gibb suggested that an endeavour should be made to find the really wealthy persons of the church, and to put before them, especially those who had few dependents, the needs of the funds of the church. Otherwise he had little hope of success. PRESENTATION. The moderator, in the name of the assembly, made a presentation to the Rev. W. J. Comrie. He said that Air Comrie had been an exceedingly good officer of the assembly, who had earned the confidence of his brethren, and, moreover, he had been a very useful man in watching the affairs of the church. He had great pleasure in handing to Mr Comrie a cheque. Mr Comrie replied, expressing his gratitude for the gift so graciously made. CHURCH UNION. Dr Gibb gave notice of the following motion: —“ In view of the moderator’s piercing call in his inaugural address to unity in the church and of the need every succeeding day most manifest of a union of the churches most nearly alike in doctrine and cvA-’iesiastical procedure in order to make more effective testimony to the saving might of the Son of God and to give more effective battle to the abounding evils arrayed against His kingdom, the assembly resolves to set up a small committee to consider whether the time has not arrived to resume union negotiations with the Methodist and Congregational churches; the committee to report to a future sederunt of the assembly.” The Rev. J. Al. Brodie, in an impassioned speed, moved —“ That in view of the absence of any overture on church union from any presbytery, the assembly deems it inexpedient to take any action meanwhile.” The vote - showed that the amendment was not favoured by the members, and Dr Gibb will be able to go on with his investigations as to the suitability of reviving the question of union. KNOX COLLEGE REPORT.

The report of the Knox College Council, which was presented by the Rev. H. H. Barton, makes grateful recognition of Professor Hewitson’s goodness in giving an extra year to the college and of the services of Dr J. D. Salmond, the assistant master. The assembly endorsed the report with great heartiness. UNION .OF SCOTTISH CHURCHES. The Rev. Tulloch Yuille was commissioned to represent the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand at the assembly meeting in Edinburgh next year, at which the union between the Presbyterian Churches of Scotland will be consummated. MILITARY TRAINING. The Public Questions Committee’s report was introduced by Dr Gibb. He moved that the resolution of the last assembly regarding military training, as well as the rights of conscience, be re-affirmed. This resolution was that the assembly (1) declares in harmony with the historic position of this church its conviction of the inviolability of the rights of the individual conscience; (2) recognises that a Christian in the interpretation of his duty to Christ may feel obliged to refuse to render military service; (3) claims for members of this

church who hold conscientious objections to military training on religious grounds the rights of exemption provided by the 1912 amendment of the Defence Act, 1909; (4) directs that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice and of Defence.

The Rev. D. Dutton said he believed in protecting the conscientious objector, but sympathised with the magistrate who had to administer the relevant portions of the law.

Dr Currie said he agreed with Mr Dutton in his argument for tire reasonableness and necessity of military training, and backed up his argument by quotations from the remarks by President Coolidge in connection with Armistice Day.

Mr Coleman, of Hawera, said he felt that the Presbyterian Church had" placed itself in a false position in its advocacy of anti-militaristic thought. Mr J. B. Gow said he felt that the assembly had made a mistake in declaring against compulsory training at a previous meeting. The State had a right to say that every able-bodied man should be prepared to assist in protecting his country against an attacking force. He was sorry .that pacifist principles had been advocated in the assembly. Dr Erwin said that disarmament could only be brought about by an understanding and agreement among the nations. Even America wanted an army and a navy in spite of tire Kellog Pact. I In reply Dr Gibb protested that to reject his resolution would be to reject the full and clear statement of the 1927 assembly. Ou a vote being taken Dr Gibb’s motion was carried by a majority of 39 votes. Dr Gibb then moved that tire action of the committee in supporting the claims of Messrs Richards, Byrt, and Miller for exemption be approved, and that the committee be instructed to continue its efforts to obtain a ruling of the Governor-in-Council regarding an alternative form of service for conscientious objectors. He traversed the cases, of the three young men and the reasons for the endeavour to protect them. He urged that the magistrate, in his decision, had clearly exceeded his powers. The young men were ready to accept alternative service if imposed by the proper authority, that was the Governor-in-Council. He felt that the honour of the church was bound up with the taking up the cause of the young men named. The Rev. W. Maclean urged that the 1927 assembly did not identity itself with the action of Richards, and quoted the finding of the last assembly in support of his contention. He disapproved of questioning the action of the magistrate in his attempt to find a type of alternative service. He held, too, that the deputation to the Minister of Defence had no right to speak as if the 1927 assembly had decreed against compulsory military service.

The Rev. H. Gilbert held that there was no need for a Presbyterian to become a Quaker before being allowed freedom from military service. Mr Logan moved as an amendment—- “ That all the words after ‘ exemption ’ be deleted.” The Rev. Mr Dutton seconded the motion. The Rev. W. J. Comrie pointed out that the magistrate’s decision was based on the fact that the young men. were Presbyterians, but Presbyterians had a right to a conscience as well as other Christian bodies. Dr Gibb expressed his agreement with the amendment, and the motion, as amended, was carried almost unanimously. AUCKLAND, November 28, The Assembly resumed its discussions to-day. THE BENEFICIARY FUND. The Rev. A. B. Todd presented the report of the Beneficiary Fund Committee, of which he has been a member for 38 years and convener for the last eight. He spoke'of the help given by the members of the committee, many of whom are business men, with a full knowledge of the intricacies of superannuation work. The capital of the fund was now over £160,000. The expenditure had been over £ll,OOO, or about 11 per cent, of the capital to credit. Only 5 per cent, had been added to the capital. An appeal was made that those who were able to do so should make some provision for this fund in their wills. Only £l7OO had been received by bequest this year. He expressed regret that several ministers had not joined the funds and that some others had fallen into arrears. THE PEACE MANIFESTO. The Public Questions Committee resumed discussion of its report. Last year’s manifesto was sent down to presbyteries and the report stated that three presbyteries approved of the manifesto without alteration, several presbyteries suggested slight alterations, and a few suggested modification of a much more radical character. The committee carefully considered the returns to the remit and adopted many of the suggestions;— indeed, all except those the adoption of which would have utterly nullified the document.

Dr Gibb moved that the peace manifesto, as amended by the committee, should be adopted. He assured his hearers that the document was not pacifist. He and his committee were not theoretic pacifists. The church must take the lead in securing the peace of the world. Nor did the manifesto do dishonour to the dead. Rather it sought to do what they would seek to do were they alive and what, in the speaker’s opinion, he could imagine they were asking in the Great Beyond. The Rev. J. D. Smith seconded the motion. He stressed the fact that pacifism was not a solution of the problem. It ignored the real problem. The assembly was called upon to give a lead to the church, breaking in upon their minds and leading them to think actively of peace. Peace would not come to pass; it must be achieved. The peace manifesto must lift the eyes upward, setting forth the Christian ideal in positive terms.

The following overture from the Auckland Presbytery was received—“ That, whereas the peace manifesto has already caused much controversy throughout the church, and if presented in its present form will evoke opposition in the General Assembly, it is hereby overtured to the General Assembly by the Presbytery of Auckland to appoint at its first session a

special committee to consult with the Public Questions Committee with a view to eliminating the controversial clauses of the manifesto, or that the assembly

determine otherwise as to its wisdom shall seem best.” The Rev. W. L. Marsh said that in supporting the overture he cottld agree wholly with Dr Gibb’s speech. Though he had criticised the manifesto, he gave no place to anyone in his desire for world peace. Unfortunately the manifesto had provided a bone of contention. What his overture meant to accomplish was to avoid disunity in public. He objected to be forced into pacifism. The preamble to

the manifesto was ambiguous. What was meant by “ war as an instrument of national policy?” “Opposed to the mind of Christ ” was another doubtful phrase. General statements had no practical effective value and should be avoided. He asked that these doubtful phrases should be dropped out. They clouded the issue. If aggressive war was meant let the word be put in so as to make the matter clear. Dr Gibb said he was not sure if his committee would accept the alteration and Mr Marsh gleefully cried that he had achieved his point. The manifesto could not be considered as a statement authoritatively sent out by the church. Ambiguous phrases must be deleted. Mr Marsh moved the appointment of a large committee to meet with the Public Questions Committee with a view to the elimination of objectionable phrases. The Rev. D. C. Herron read the pronouncement of the Jerusalem International Missionary Conference which, he said, was much like tire manifesto. He contended that the supposed difference between aggressive and defensive wars was a futility. The Rev Dr Erwin pointed out that the document read by Mr Herron avoided such phrases as “ contrary to the mind of Christ.” Those who took a lead in the matter on the side of the manifesto did not realise what was the language they were using. If they cut out the extravagant language of the manifesto and left out its ultra-pacific phrases all could agree with it.

Dr Merrington urged that the pronouncement of the Jerusalem Conference should be adopted as the mind of the House. Mr Marsh withdrew his motion and Dr Merrington moved:—" That with a suitable change of terms in style and title this assembly adopts the peace resolution of the Jerusalem Conference as the peace manifesto of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand and - respectfullv commends it to the sister churches of this Dominion as follows: —Inasmuch as the

world-wide Christian mission is an expression of the spirit of the Prince of Peace and an attempt to realise the truth that in Him all dividing lines, whether of race or class, are transcended; and inasmuch as war is universally acknowledged as a most grievous hindrance to the triumph of this spirit among men, the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand .row meeting in general assembly summons all our faithful people to unremitting prayer and effort to secure —(1) the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy; (2) tire adoption of peaceful methods for the settlement of all international differences; and (3) the changing of those attitudes and practices which constitute the roots of war.'” Dr Gibb said he felt that the sugges-

tion in the proposal of Dr Merrington was a step backward and that the assembly should adhere to the manifesto proposed. The pronouncement of the Jerusalem Conference, suitably amended, was adopted with almost complete unanimity.

• CHANGES OF PASTORATE. Mr H. B. Burnett moved: —“That whereas there is a strong body of opinion among both ministers and congregations that an adequate system by which ministers may obtain a change of pastorate is necessary, and whereas many ministers are obliged to remain in one sphere longer than may be desirable, and whereas there are no facilities under our present system to enable congregations to effect a change of pastorate, a committee be set up to go into the whole matter with a view to evolving some workable scheme acceptable to presbyteries.” The Rev. W. Gilmour described the method adopted in the United Church of Canada. The Rev. L. H. Hunt moved that the question be referred to the Home Mission Committee with a direction to report to the next assembly. GENERAL TREASURER.

The resignation of the Rev. W. J. Comrie, general treasurer, was received, and he was given a seat in the church courts. The resignation was received as from January 1, 1929, and Mr Comrie was granted one year’s salary in lieu of leave of absence. Mr V. A. Chapman was appointed general treasurer. WOMEN’S TRAINING INSTITUTE. The report of the Women’s Training Institute Committee was given by the Rev. H. 11. Barton. It stated that while no general appeal had been made on behalf of the institute the committee hoped that the people would recognise that it rendered a valuable and essential service to the whole church. In it women were being trained not merely for missionary service at home and abroad, but also as deaconesses in the towns and cities, and for work in connection with the Sunday schools and Bible classes. The financial requirements were of a very modest character, and almost the whole burden of the support of the institute had rested hitherto upon the P.W.M.U. apart from donations from a few friends. As the committee derived no benefit from the assembly budget, it was hoped that friends of the institute would continue to remember its needs and more particularly so in this, the semi-jubilee year. Appreciation of Sister Margaret, who had resigned the superintendency of the institute, was expressed, and Mr Barton intimated that Miss Mary Salmond, had been appointed to the position as from January, 1929. Miss Salmond’s high academic standing, her experience as a teacher in New Zealand and on the mission field in India, and her post-graduate studies in New York, had eminently fitted her for such a position. The Rev. George Budd seconded the motion for the adoption of the report, and pointed out the value of the training given in the institute, but regretted

that so few avenues of service were offering for women workers in the churches. Sister Margaret was called to the front and Professor Hewitson spoke the mind of the assembly upon her work in the institute and hoped that she would enjoy all happiness in the future. Sister Margaret suitably replied and spoke of what the institute was doing, not only in training women, but also in the wider wprk in the community. WOMEN’S BENEFICIARY FUND. The Women’s Beneficiary Fund showed a very fine increase in strength, and the regulations were altered to read (8) “A member who retires after 20 years of service shall be entitled to an annuity of £2O plus £4 for each year of service from tire date of appointment”; (9) “In the event of a member being compelled to retire on account of ill-health before the expiry of 20 years of service that member shall be eligible to benefit under this scheme at the rate of £2O plus £4 for each year of service, and in special gases, on the recommendation of the committee in change of the fund and with the concurrence of the Foreign Missions Committee the assembly may make a grant from year to year up to and not exceeding £6O per annum in any one case.”

SCOTS COLLEGE. On the motion of Dr Gibb £5OO a year was granted to the Board of Governors of Scots College for a period of five years the amount to be taken from the profits of the fire insurance fund. GENERAL. The Organisation Committee continued Its report and set up an Advisory Board which, if meeting with a full attendance, will consist of about 25 members. The Foreign Mission Committee is to be located in Auckland and the Public Questions Committee in Dunedin. The Advisory Board was directed to report on the advisability of the formation of a Board of Missions. AUCKLAND, November 29. The Assembly continued its proceedings to-day. KNOX COLLEGE. Intimation was received by cable that Dr Hunter will accept the professorship of Old Testament Studies in the Theological Hall. ... It was decided to appoint a principal of the Theological Hall whose duties shall be —(a) to preside over the meetings of the senatus; (b) to visit presbyteries in the interests of the hall; (c) to represent the hall to tire church and to the community. Dr Dickie was appointed to the principalship quite unanimously. He has been for many years Professor of Systematic Theology in the hall. It was decided that the matter oi utilising the services of the master of Knox College in the work of teaching be referred to the Synod of Otago and Southland and its Theological Committee. DEGREES IN DIVINITY.

The Rev. E. J. Tipler brought forward the reasonableness of conferring degrees in divinity by the University of New Zealand. He said that the University Commission of sonre time back had suggested that such degrees should be made available. The recommendation had been quietly dropped. Early in the year a deputation had met the University Council to urge that these degrees should be part of the University curriculum. It was necessary that as much pressure as possible should be brought to bear upon authorities. Mr Tipler moved:- —“ that the assembly records its conviction that the University of New Zealand should be empowered to grant degrees in divinity as is done in the great universities of Britain. Europe, and America, and, further, instructs the Theological College Committee to support any movement to bring about this desirable reform.” The motion was carried unanimously. FOREIGN MISSIONS.

The Foreign Mission- Committee con tinned its report. The committee was authorised to send out such reinforcements as are urgently required and as the condition of the funds warrants. It was also given power to act in the matter of securing a Chinese evangelist for the work among the Chinese in Auckland. The assembly thanked the South Island Oriental Depot of the P.W.M.U. for the gift of £9OO for the purchase of a bungalow for a rest house during the hot season in India, and a further £6OO to be eanitalised and the interest used to assist ‘in the enabling of the missionaries to engage in post-graduate study. A message of sympathy with Pastor Kwong, of the church in China, who lias been ill, and a minute congratulatory of the Rev. H. H. Barton, who has resigned his position as secretary, were heartilyapproved. SOCIAL SERVICE WORK. The Social Service Association s report was presented by Dr Gibb. The report states: There is a suggestion in one of the reports that we are on the eve of drastic alterations in the equipment for orphanage work. The experts now favour small homes —cottages as they are called—in which the family spirit and influence can be fostered. Besides, the institutional nature of the work as now carried on requires special training for the staff, and the lack of this has been a handicap, and indeed a constant source of difficulty. The cottage idea is much simpler and requires little beyond the grace of love and domestic efficiency. That a period of difficulty has been experienced by the Auckland Association is indicated by a bank overdraft of over £4OOO. The, Dingwall Orphanage Board has secured a large allotment of land at Papatoetoe, and has already made plans for the erection of cottage homes. There is a spirit of happy co-operation between the association and the new board, and an agreement has been reached by which the latter will take -into its care some of the children in the present homes. Aq opportunity will therefore be provided for the association to reorganise its finances. In the reports there is ample assurance that adequate provision is made for the moral and religious training of these boys and girls, many oi whom, as one report states, are handicapped almost from birth, never having been taught any moral standard, never even having been taught a prayer, some ignorant even of the name of God. In ' every case there is due recognition of the

advantages of the Child Welfare Amendment Act of 1927. The institutions have now to be registered and come under Government supervision. A most helpful provision in the Act is that agreements with parents of children relative to maintenance fees can be registered in the Magistrate’s Court. Such agreements therefore partake of the nature*’of maintenance orders issued by a magistrate. THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

The Bible in schools report was given by the Rev. J. Paterson, of Wanganui". Those determined to keep the Bible out of the schools, he said, had been vigorous and unceasing, while those desiring the Bible to be read in the schools were complacent and passive. It was urged that they should express continued allegiance to the Bible-in-Schools League. The secular system was not neutral; it made for a non-religious attitude in the mindi? of _ the children. The Bible and re? ligion were necessary in any considered system of education. The geographical situation of New Zealand made it ink possible to make the Nelson system effective in our schools. The Rev. H. H. Barton moved as aq amendment—“ That the assembly give a general agreement to the Nelson system of Bible teaching in schools as contained in Mr G. Al. Thomson’s Bill.” Mr Bar? ton said he had consulted with educa? tionists in Victoria, and the replies he had received showed that the systenj was a good one and working well. Mr Thomson’s was a valid legalising of the Nelson system. The point of his amendment was just the endeavour to give legaj right to give Bible lessons in the schools. Dr Gibb said he felt that in view of the heart-breaking history of the Bible-in? schools agitation it was wise to accept the amendment. The Rev. J. 11. M'Kenzie pointed out that under the Nelson system there was a greater measure of freedom than under the Victorian system. On a vote being taken Mr amendment was lost. GENERAL. The assembly passed a minute "of appre? ciation of the services of the Rev. W, J. Comrie, the retiring general treasurer, which is to be engrossed and presented to him at a later date. In connection with the Historical Re? cords Committee it was reported that records were being safeguarded, and in a discussion on the proposed History of the Church, it was decided to inform the convener of the committee that the assembly declines all responsibility for the publication. A discussion took place on the personnel of the committee, and a small group of members of the Christchurch Presbytery was appointed.

PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED. AUCKLAND, November 30. '.rhe Assembly concluded its sittings to-day. Professor Hewitson presided. CHURCH UNION. The adjourned discussion on the question of church union was continued by the Rev. R. Al. Ryburn, who moved the appointment of a committee to be called a Committee of Friendly Relations with Sister Churches, whose task will be to collate information as to what measure of co-operation between the churches is already operating and to promote closer association in whatever ways may be possible. The motion was carried unanimously. BANK OVERDRAFTS. The Waikato Presbytery sent down the following overture concerning bank overdrafts: “That whereas the amounts of overdrafts shown in the Blue Book are increasing beyond the bounds of financial safety, and whereas the purpose of an overdraft as a temporary financial arrangement has been largely lost sight of this presbytery overtures the General Assembly that it take into consideration the recommendation that no congregation be permitted to make arrangements for an overdraft exceeding £lOO without the consent of the presbytery concerned,' or determine otherwise as its wisdom may deem fit.” The Rev. L. Al. Rogers pointed out that the proposal was to prevent any congregation from getting an unlimited overdraft without obtaining the consent of the presbytery of the bounds. He moved—“ That before arranging for an overdraft exceeding £lOO a congregation must first get permission from the presbytery in which the congregation is placed.”

An amendment to make the amount £2OO was moved. Air Comrie supported the amendment, and pointed out that overdrafts were usually guaranteed by individuals, but unfortunately guarantors died, or removed, or failed. The suggestion in the amendment was quite reasonable. Mr Rogers held firmly to his motion because of circumstances in his presbytery, and, on a vote being taken, his motion was carried. CHURCH ARCHITECTURE. An overture concerning the architecture of church buildings was received. The Rev. L. Hunt pointed out that too often buildings were erected which were not a credit to the church, nor did they show that the money had been expended wisely. In other countries there was machinery for the careful criticism of the plans of buildings proposed, whether churches or manses. Ho advocated the setting up of a central board upon which there would be competent architects. Care would be taken to secure that the accommodation and appointments of the church were adequate and that its site was suitable. Similar proposals applied to manses. Mr Hunt moved that the question be remitted to the Auckland Presbytery to report to next assembly. The moderator suggested that tha matter should be remitted to the Advisory Board, and to this Air Hunt 1 agreed.

. The assembly agreed to the proposal in the overture. PROBLEM OF WORLD PEACE. The League of Nations report was presented by the Rev. R. Inglis. It urged that greater interest should be taken in League by the people. The deliverance agreed to was as follows: The assembly rejoices that the League of Nations continues its beneficent services to the world and is manitestly growing in influence and prestige; and while regretting that the League is far from having accomplished its chief object of securing the pari passu disarmament of the nations, is thankful that the steadfastness with which it seeks a solution of this problem encourages the hope that it will ultimately succeed. The Assembly is further glad to learn that the New Zealand League of Nations union is taking a firmer hold of the nnnds of the people. It desires ministers to do what may be in their power to strengthen the union and to inform their peop.e of the indispensableness of the league to the peace of the world. It appoints the first Sunday of September as League Sunday,’ and requests ministers to make use of it to further the interests of the League and to remind the people of their obligation as servants of Christ to bestir themselves actively in the cause of world peace.”

CAUSE OF TEMPERANCE. The Rev. A. S. Morrison (Rakaia) Continued the debate on the Temperance Committee s report. He expressed the hope that the convener of the committee would remain a member of the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Alliance. He thought the set-back in the vote was due to the moral slump which was manifest in the Dominion. Mr Fairgray urged that criticism of the. Alliance was unfair. Wiser would it be to help as much as possible. To level criticism was to hinder the very cause they wanted to help. The Rev. W. L. Marsh felt that unless there was a change in the methods adopted there could be nothing but a receding tide.' The electoral side of the question was not the important side. Ten years or more of hard work on the educational side was necessary, and the Temperance Committee should be directed to get down to this piece of work. It was decided that the convener of the committee be continued as a member of the executive of the New Zealand Alliance, and that scientific instruction in temperance and the formation of Bands of Hope be entered upon wife earnestness. In a desultory discussion it was made clear that the Alliance was considering carefully the whole position, and the matter was left at that point.

SUSTENTATION FUND. The Rev. R. Inglis moved that payments of Sustentation Fund amounts be made quarterly instead of half-yearly. The present method of disbursing grants-in-aid was inflicting injustice on some ministers. He said that he had been informed that the committee in charge of the fund was not inclined to object to the proposal, which was very largely a matter of book-keeping. The motion was agreed to.„ MOTOR CAR INSURANCE. The matter of the insurance of church motor cars was brought forward by the Rev. W. J. Comrie. He pointed out how complicated the matter was and said that some help might be given by the company handling certain church insurance. It was agreed to leave the matter in the hands of Mr Comrie for further investigation. CLOSING CEREMONIES. Suitable memorial minutes concerning deceased ministers were moved by Dr Cumming and adopted by the assembly standing in silence. The moderator led the assembly suitably in prayer. The Rev. W. Mawson moved a very kindly expressed vote of thanks to the convener (the Rev. G. H. Jupp) and the members of the Foreign Mission Committee, who have now gone out' of office, and the moderator suitably conveyed the minute to the ex-convener, who promised to make it known to the members of the retiring committee.

It was decided to hold the next meeting of the assembly on Wedesday, March 5, 1930, in First Church, Dunedin, at 7.30 p.m. The moderator’s closing address expressed -thankfulness that he had been able to carry out his duties fully, for the help the officers of the assembly had been to him, and for the atmosphere of friendliness that had been manifested all through the meetings. As moderator he had tried to be just and merciful and to combine the two through the progress of the work which had fallen to them to do. He urged that in all the work that lay before them during the year to come there should be an endeavour to help forward the cause which was so dear to them. Let them not stand back, but get into harness and help. He, for his own part, hoped to do as much as possible during his year of office, but he asked them all to remember that his strength was limited. The assembly closed with the singing of Psalm 122 and the pronouncing of the benediction.

The Tourist Department is very busy popularising the holiday resort at Waikaremoana (reports the Napier Daily Telegraph). Camping grounds are being laid out and suitable buildings for the use of campers are being erected. Kerosene stoves for cooking purposes are being installed, and for a small charge tourists can well be provided for.