GENERAL SYNOD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 701, 10 May 1916, Page 9

GENERAL SYNOD.

THE TWENTIETH SESSION. ! 'YESTERDAY'S SITTINGS. j The meePing of the General' Synod fc'as 1 : continued (yesterday, ; Mr H. Di Andrews referred in laudpdory terms, to the late Mr \V. Guise Rfittan, and moved:—"That the Synod desires to.record its high Appreciation of the life, character, and work of the late William Guise BrilFan anil thai the "Most Rev: the Primate convev the resolution lo the relatives of the late Mr Hrittan." The motion was seconded by Archdeacon Williams and carried, memboa.s standing. TRAINING OF ORDINATION CANDIDATES. On the motion of the Dean of Christchurch. it- was. resolved:— "That the- report of the commission appointed to cdnsider'the recommendations of the-committee on'the'supply and training, of ordination candidates be referred lo tltc Synods of the .Dioceses of' the Province, for their consideration." • LOSS ON A-PUBLICATION. Theißishop of Waif)pu referred to the value of a History of the Church of. NCW Zealand which had been compiled and written by the Rev. Canon Purchas, al considerable pecuniary- loss. He moved:—"That a grant be made towards meeting such expenditure." This was seconded by Archdeacon Williams. Considerable discussion followed asio whether the expenditure would he a valid one under the trusts from which the 1 ni'oney would be drawn. Eventually it'was decided that the motion be referred lo the Finance Committee for its favourable consideration and report. . EVENING: SITTING. The General Synod continued its deliberations last evening, the Primate presiding. RFSHOP'S COMMISSARY. .Mr 11. I). Andrews moved the second reading of a Bill to amend Title A, Canon 1, the object of which was lo give certain powers to a bishop's commissary lo represent and act for the bishop, who, although not actually absent from his diocese, might be "incapacitated through illness or any other serious cause. Archdeacon Williams seconded the motion which was carried. The House then went into committee when several minor alterations were made. On reporting progress, the third reading was fixed for Thursday. CONSTITUTION OF A STANDING COMMITTEE. The Bishop of Chrislchureh introduced for its second, reading a Rill to amend Title B, Canon 1, providing fori the constitution of a Standing Committee of the General Synod. He said thai the functions of the Standing Committee proposed would not usurp the powers of the General Synod.! The board would serve from the colse of one triennial session of Ihe General Synod lo the opening of the next. It would meet in Wellington; at leasl once a year. The members composing il would be Ihe bishops' of Ihe province and one clergyman and, one layman for each diocese in New Zealand., The Dean Of Duncdin said thai the functions of the General Synod were legislative, and as the proposed general Standing Committee would not be able lo exercise these powers, he tailed lo understand what useful purpose 1 il would serve. The Primale. Iho Bishop of Dunedin, said he must oppose Ihe Rill. Large questions should not be dealt wilh by such a body. II was not desirable > be continually taking the clergy away from their parish duties to attend, meetings which were unnecessary. In replying,ilhe Bishop of Christchinch said dial referring, lo big questions arising between the sessions which Ihe commillee could deal wilh, he had meant pressing questions. II would really be an emergency administrative body. The motion was carried. The House then went into committee to consider Ihe Bill. On a motion reporting progress, Ihe third reading was lixed for Thursday.