SCENE AT ASSEMBLY

Southland Times, Issue 22478, 14 November 1934, Page 8

SCENE AT ASSEMBLY

UNPLEASANTNESS NARROWLY AVOIDED. (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, November 13. Just as the Presbyterian Assembly was adjourning for lunch, the Rev. P. B. Fraser, standing at the Bar, protested against the action of the Assembly Clerk in recording the names of ministers who had lodged their certificates, also asking why the Rev. Jupp, Editor of the Outlook, and Professor Collie had refused publication to his brief statement of faith which some years ago received the unanimous endorsement of the Assembly. The Moderator, Dr Dickie, said the brief statement now before the public had never been before the Church and differed very materially from, that approved 25 years ago, containing much of which the Assembly would not approve. If Mr Fraser made himself again a member of the Church .Courts, he for one would welcome him and any opportunity he desired for expression of his honest opinion. The whole matter was out of order and he was sorry to see Mr Fraser outside the Bar looking like a lost soul. Mr Fraser: You know you have put me out of my own church. The ringing of the bell did not silence Mr Fraser, and the Assembly Clerk, the Rev. McKenzie, moved that the police be called to remove him. A tense situation was ended in laughter when the Rev. Nordmeyer announced: “I have an intimation to make that someone has taken my overcoat by mistake.” The adjournment was then taken without further mention of Mr McKenzie’s motion for direct action.