Church of England

Southland Times, Issue 19263, 29 January 1904, Page 2

Church of England

Per Uuited Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 28. The Anglican General Synod opened today. A special service was held in the Cathedral, and in the Afternoon tho actin}? Primate (the Bishop of Puuedin), gave his opening address. Referring to the question of altering the fundamental provisions of the Church constitution, ho expressed doubt as to" Whether it was necessary to apply to the Legislature, but, if it were thought better, in order to avoid all possible dnnger, to iQRkv such application, they must be careful to guard against seeming to derive their authority from the legislature, but merely request the civil power to say no amendment ol the fundamentals would be held to affect the rights of property or discipline. The Bishop also dealt at length with missionary questions ; re-union of Christendom ; recent extension of tho boundaries of the ecclesiastical province and the coming Lambeth conference, concluding with a stirring appeal to the Church to go forward. The election of Primate was fixed for Monday. Archdeacon Harper is introducing a bill to amend tha fundamental provisions ol the constitution in such manner as to provide for necessary autonomy ©f tho Church of the province of N..5C.