PERTURBATION AT SYNOD

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1929, Page 13

PERTURBATION AT SYNOD

* A VOTE OF CENSURE MOVED

OBJECTIONS TO PRESS ARTICLE. CANON KAYLL DEFENDS ACTION. (By Wire-—Special Reporter.) Hamilton,. Last Night. There were fireworks at the Anglican Synod this afternoon over an article which appeared in to-day’s issue of the newspaper Truth by Canon J. A. L. Kayll, formerly of Stratford but now of Kati Kati. Mr. J. G. Wynyard (To Awamutn) produced a copy of the newspaper and was about to draw attention to' the article when the bishop stated that the House should not criticise a member, bynod was modelled on the General Synod and Parliament and could not reflect on the character or actions of any member unless the House itself was concerned. Mr. G. W. Seton: “The article reflects on some of the members of this House.” Major Hine expressed the view that the House was competent to suspend the standing orders if it was held thero was a breach of privilege. Mr. Wynyard moved that the standing orders be suspended to consider a breach of privilege, and the Rev. J. Thompson seconded. The motion was carried. Mr. Wynyard said he was very distressed to see the matter of the unhappy position of the diocese set out in this manner. It appeared below a most objectionable article. . Canon Kayll said he was responsible for the article but not where it appeared in the newspaper. Mr. Hay: “Very few of us have seen this article. Let it be read and we will discuss the matter later on in the day. Mr. Hay moved that the matter be discussed later, but the motion lapsed for want of a seconder. . VOTE OF CENSURE MOVED. Continuing, Mr. Wynyard said Canon Kayll had committed a breach of privilege in referring to an action of the standing committee. A paragraph in his article stated that a resolution was Eassed sympathising with the bishop in is difficulties and pledging loyal cooperation. He would say that this was not the whole of the resolution, which added that there was no question of a vote of confidence in the bishop. This fact had been left out. Mr. -Wynyard added that the bishop had .written him intimating that lie recognised the resolution was iic i a vote of confidence In himself. It was a very grave breach of privilege and he moved a vote of severe censure on Canon Kayll.

This was seconded by the Rev. R. L. Connolly (Te Arolia), who said he had been told he was guilty of untruths and was the most unchristian person possible. "Low as I ana, I am shocked at the article appearing in this newspaper,” he added. "It is most undignified and unseemly.” Mr. Connolly quoted from the article and challenged Canon Kayll’s. statement a certain man, now deceased, had reflected on the bishop’s private life. This statement had been refuted,-and now it was being bruited all over New Zealand. “I have been told I have said scandalous things,” he went on. “Well, I consider Canon Kayli’s statement is more than scandalous; it was a grave breach of privilege he has been responsible for.” Mr. T. G. Hirst (New Plymouth) said the resolution quoted by Mr. Wynyard was considered at great length. They all approbated the bishop’s difficulties, but. could not agree to everything. The statement made by Mr. Connolly was substantially correct. Mr. Hay said that while he disapproved of Canon Kayli’s letter in Truth, he also objected to Mr. Connolly’s remarks in the newspaper. Mr. Connolly rose to a point of order, and said this was beside the ques- . tion. Mr. Hay went on to say that. Mr. Connolly’s statements were very inaccurate, when the Dean rose to a point of order, and also Major J. B. Hine, and the point was upheld. PROPAGANDA DEPRECATED. “I object to both Canon Kayli’s and Mr. Connolly’s articles,” said Mr. Hay, adding that he deprecated the carrying on of propaganda in newspapers. (Applause). The composition of the Synod would have not bee- what it was today if men had not sat down and allowed newspaper correspondence to go on unchecked. He proposed to resign from the standin committee. Canon Kayll said he had taken full responsibility for what had appeared in Truth. What he was going to ask was that he be given the right to reply to the vote of censure. He would also request that no other person would say a single word in his defence. He knew when he wrote the article that he would be censured; hp wrote it to get that censure. Canon Gavin did not think things of God should be handled in this manner. He suggested Canon Kayll should apologise to the House. Canon Kayll said that when it was shown to him that he had something to apologise for he would acknowledge his error freely and without equivocation. They had, however, to convince him he wa« wrong, and that in what he had said he had committed a breach of privilege. Why had the standing committee passed a motion and made it public t Mr. Connolly: “There was also a letter.” Canon Kayll: “No one would have known of the authorship of the letter but for Mr. Connolly.” The speaker said it was well known to several members that ho had made a statement some time ago in standing committee to the effect that if rortain things went on as they were going he would make things public. He had had a very distressing time during the past twelve months and was moved by what he knew to be the facts, find because he Had been urged by many people to make public the facts he wrote his article. He considered before he did that he would have to take a very difficult step. He made up his mind to do it, which some of his hearers would not do. REASON FOR RESIGNATION. He resigned his parish in order that his hands should be free, and he did not desire to involve anybody in hie action. He resigned also for the fact that his authority in his parish was beincr very seriously undermined. He found that if he counselled his parishioners to do certain things he was told - by them that they had been urged not to do these things, and not to contnb-

ute to funds while the present bishop remained. , . Major Hine: “I rise to a point oi order. I don’t think Canon Kayll should make such charges when his, parishioners are not present to reply.” Canon Kayll reiterated that his authority had been strenuously and secretly undermined. The speaker then went on to state how he was asked by Truth to give the facts from a cleric’s standpoint. He had previously been approached by a publishing house to write a pamphlet of which the publishers would undertake all the expense. He had not said a word to the bishop about the article until a few days ago. He could have written it anonymously, but had preferred to attach his name to it. lie had written it some time ago hoping it would appear at the latest during last week in order that members of the Svnod would have had time to read it and prepare a motion of censure. “I have only come to Synod because I knew this motion would be proposed, and I want to answer it,” added Canon Kayll. PREPARED FOR CENSURE.' He took strong exception to certain meipbers of the vestry passing what was described as a unanimous vote of no-coniiclence in the bishop. How could they do this when five of the vestry were absent and previously the vestry had stated that it had no action to take regarding the bishop ? “There are submarines at work in this parish as there were m my parish,” declared the Canon. “I might add that my article has been cut down as 1 handed in m'.xh more manuscript. However, I wish to m&Ke it clear that I am not sheltering behind any action the newspaper took. You may pass any vote of censure you like, but I shall continue my campaign as 1 have begun it. 1 am considered to be a man of good judgment and have been consulted by judges and magistrates. 1 intend going on with my policy until my judgment tells me 1 should stop, and I am prepared to take all the risk and ell the stripes yon care to lay upon me.” Canon Kayll added that he would fight for his jfrinciples at the cost of his life, He came from a family the members of which had perished for the cause oi truth. He was not a crank, but he was absolutely convinced that the bishop had done nothing to bring upon him tho contempt-, abuse, and hostility against him in the Waikato diocese. The bishop had his confidence, and lie was prepared to stand by him through thick and thin (Applause.) He would stand by the bishop if he (Canon Kayll) were tho only defender he had left. He drew the attention of the House that- tho article in Truth contained no uncharitable remarks or reflections against anybody. He wrote the article to show the public that- charges made against the bishop were absolutely untrue. “Mr Connolly- said I have been scandalous,” he added. “I will say fearlessly that Mr Connolly could not have done anything more scandalous than to hand over to the newspapers something which was considered in camera. This is a standard of morality I cannot tolerate. My own standard of morality is high, and I will defend, it, come what may. I'j appreciate the remarks of Canon Gavin because I am sure he knows the action I took was for the best.” THE VOTE DEFERRED. Canon Kayll, continuing his defence, said he had prayed long and earnestly before taking the action he did. He asked for direction from above and he received it. He did not see where he had committed any breach of privilege. Mr. Wynyard had spoken about no confidence in the bishop. He had always criticised such a motion because it was infra dig to both the Synod and the bishop. Mr. Wynyard had hit the bishop at every point possible, and “I, for one, want the public to know about this,” he went on. “They should know- about the unwarranted attack you have made, Mr. Wynyard’s actions and those of his supporters must be abhorrent to all fair-minded people who have a regard* for what is fair and right.” (Applause.) He wished more had been said so that he could reply to it. He' had been extremely busy and only came to Synod to receive the proposed vote of censure. Replying, Mr. Wynyard said Canon Kayll claimed he (Mr. Wynyard) had made an attack on him. He was only standing in defence of the honour and dignity 0 of the Synod and the church. “Unfortunately,” he added, “I cannot employ the oratory of Canon Kayll, but [ do claim that my family is as good as his and my courage is as good also.” He had no ill-feeling against the bishop, but he held certain opinions and claimed he was entitled to express them. Mr. Wynyard subsequently moved: “That this House passes a severe vote of censure on Canon Kayll for his unjustifiable and undignified article appearing in Truth.” Canon Kayll, before Hie motion was put, offered to resign office as clerical secretary. It was decided to defer the vote till the close of business, and Canon Kayll was unanimously requested to continue in office.