NEW PRIMATE OF N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 24056, 21 February 1940, Page 8

NEW PRIMATE OF N.Z.

Bishop West-Watsoii Of Christchurch ARCHBISHOP AVERILL’S SUCCESSOR (United Press Association) NELSON, February 20. The Rt. Rev. Campbell West-Watson, Bishop of Christchurch, was elected Primate and Archbishop of the Province of New Zealand at this morning’s sitting of the General Synod of the Church of England. He succeeds Archbishop Averill, who is retiring after holding the Primacy for 15 years. When the Synod assembled its senior clerical member, Archdeacon H. A. Hawkins (Auckland) moved that the bishops be requested to nominate one of their number to fill the Primacy. The motion was seconded by the senior lay member, Mr H. D. Andrews (Christchurch). The bishopS left the Synod hall for a separate room and there in camera by ballot nominated Bishop WestWatson. At the same time the lay members of the clergy sat as separate houses, to which the nominations were submitted. The respective orders voted by ballot and on the result being notified to the archbishop, the Synod reassembled.

The result of the election was announced by Bishop Cherrington, who, on behalf of the bishops, tendered hearty congratulations and good wishes to the new archbishop and promised earnest prayers that the Primacy might be blessed in every way.

Archdeacon Hawkins, on behalf of the clergy, conveyed sincere congratulations to the Primate-Elect. The speaker commented that the difficulty in the position in New Zealand was that the church had no general officer commanding with the authority of such an office. The Primate held the highest office, and if more authority were attached to it, more unity of expression might result and the Primate’s influence be greater. Mr Andrews said it was the wish of the laity that the new archbishop would enjoy the high office for a long period, and that God would give him strength to fill the office worthily and well, with wisdom, faithfulness and impartiality. In reply, the archbishop-elect said that it had always been his fortune to follow men who had filled their positions with distinction. As dean he had followed the present archbishop in Sydney, in Christchurch he had followed Bishop Julius and he was now following Archbishop Averill. After enjoying the retiring Archbishop’s fellowship, fatherly help and example he hoped he had some idea of what a Primate in the colonies ought to be. He thanked the speakers for their congratulations and hoped that the goodwill of all sections would result in the advancement of the church.

The new Primate was made Bishop of Christchurch in 1926. He was born at Birkenhead, England, in 1877. He was educated at the Birkenhead School and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he graduated Master of Arts in 1903. He was a Fellow and lecturer at Emmanuel College from 1903 till 1909, chaplain from 1903 to 1907 and dean from 1907 till 1909. He was canon resident of Carlisle from 1909 till 1921 and was Bishop Suffragan of Barrow-in-Furness from 1909 till 1925 and became an honorary Doctor of Divinity of Cambridge in 1910. In 1914 he was appointed Archdeacon of Westmoreland, and held the position till 1923. He. was Archdeacon of Furness from 1923 to 1926. The new Primate is a member of the Canterbury College Board of Governors. QUESTION OF FIXED PRIMACY SYNOD NOT PREPARED TO VOTE (United Press Association) NELSON, February 20. A report submitted to the General Synod suggested the establishment of a fixed primacy in Wellington and the placing of a provincial office secretary in the same centre. A motion that the committee should report at the next session on practical steps to put into effect the proposals, met with considerable opposition. The synod was not prepared to vote on the principle of a fixed primacy, and an amendment was carried having the effect of setting up a commission to report to the next session upon the desirability and practicability of establishing a fixed primatial see.