PROPOSED HEW DIOCESE

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145982, 13 November 1917, Page 7

PROPOSED HEW DIOCESE

CONFBRENCE AT NEW PLYMOUTH. OF CLERGY AND LAITY. The formation of am Anglican diocese for Taranaki was the subject of a conference of clergy and ( laity in St. Mary’s Hall to-day. The Bishop of Auckland presided, and there were also present: Tne -Archdeacons af Taranaki Yen. F. IE JivansJ, VS aiuitara (tne Ven. R. H. Reeve), and \v annate (the Ven. H. G. nawkins), and." tne Revs. C. H. Howard (Stratford), -tl. W. Smith (home missioner), H. Barnett (dome missioner), E. L._ Harvie (Inglewood), C. F. Harrison (VVaitara), H. A. Favell (Te Henui), F. G. Harvie and F. R. Rasvle (St. Mary’s Aew PJymoutn), C. Addenbrooke (Okato), J. A. Rempthorne (Taumarunui),- H. I'. Grant-Gowen (Hawera), R. H. Hobday (Eltnam), Walke (Opunake), Hands (Waverley), N. Barnett (Patea), and the Rev. Kaipo (Maori missioner), also the following laity: Messrs. T. C. Fookes (Stratford), G. H. Hutton (Inglewood), H. Joil (Waitara), R. Hay (Te Henui),.S. Percy Smith (New Plymouth), G. H. Buckeridge (Eltbam), Graiiani (Hawera), F. Feaver (Opunako), A. G. Wallace (Waverley), and S. Smith (home mission, Piko). The Rev. E. L. Harvie (Inglewood) was appointed secretary. His Lordship Bishop Averill, in opening the conference* first of all extended a welcome to tie clergy and laity, and said it gave him very great pleasure to meet them on a very important question which had been.discussed for a considerable nnmber of years, and had mot with the approval of the general synod, which at its last meeting had approved the inclusion of a considerable portion of the King Country in the new diocese which, in his opinion, should be a large one, corresponding to Waiapu, if it was going to be of any real relief to the dioceses of Auckland and Wellington. It was no use going on talking. They must do something definite or else let the idea drop. It was very unsettling to him and, he expected,’ to the Bishop of Wellington, too, to have the matter hanging on. If the time was opportune let them decide to go on with it and then consider the matter of ways and means. Speaking personally, he would he very sorry indeed to lose this portion of his diocese, hut felt the time must come when in the interests of the church and of the district there should be a separate diocese. Therefore he was prepared to do his utmost to help forward the movement. It was quite true that the Auckland diocese was : , too large for any one man to administer properly. Many people thought that Auckland province ended at Auckland city, but they forgot the very large and important district of North Auckland, which was increasing very quickly and would soon require the formation of a separate bishopric for itself. The question of the centre of the Taranaki diocese was one entirely for the General Synod to decide. No discussion on that point was therefore admissablo at the present meeting. They had to bear in mind that the formation of the bishopric was solely for, the honour and glory of God. First of all it was for the conference to decide whether the time was opportune for an early movement to establish the diocese. Then, when they had taken that step, they would have got beyond the talking stage, and were then free to consider ways and means. The Rev. F. G. Harvie (St. Mary’s, New Plymouth) moved: That this conference, representing the clergy and laity within the future diocese of Taranaki, as laid down by General Synod, 1916, is of opinion that steps should be taken at once to form the said diocese by raising an endowment fund sufficient to meet the requirements of General Synod. Mr. Harvie said he did not wish to Bay much. As his Lordship had said, it was a time for deeds not words. The need for the new diocese was, -he thought, indisputable. It had been’estimated that to carry out the project they would require a fund of £20,000. Was the time opportune for the raising of this money,, or was it not opportune? H© considered that if they put the matter off there would not be a more opportune time in the next ten or twenty years. He ventured to think there was more ready money available in Taranaki now than there ever was before, or was likely to be in the next ten or twenty years. If they definitely said they could not raise this sum it would mean the shelving of the proposal indefinitely. This would he a retrograde step and he felt confident that the resolution he had proposed would meet with the support of the conference. , „ m The Rev. C. H- Grant Cowen {Hawera) said ho rose to second the resolution with mixed feelings. He felt sorrow at the fact that it meant secession from the beloved diocese to which his parish and others in the southern part of the province had been attached for so long. At the same time the necessity for the various parishes of the province being kept in touch with one another was undeniable. He thought there was no reason why the proposal should not he gone on with at the earliest possible moment. It should not by any means he beyond their powers to raise the suggested sum of £20,000,- and he considered they could do so without the slightest difficulty. Hie appeal need not be confined to the Taranaki province but other dioceses would probably willingly give their assistance. As to the centre of the bishopric it was immaterial where Hie centre was so long as they got the bishopric. He was confident that Hawera, New Plyymouth, Stratford dr any other town would loyally accept any decision on the matter that was arrived at by the general syn-

od. , Mr. T. C. Fookes (Stratford) was the next speaker Touching on the question of finances, he agreed with the vicar of New Plymouth that there was never a time when money was so plentiful as it was now. He supported the proposal because he firmly believed it was in the best interests of the church and of the province. He made reference to the labours in Taranaki of the late Archdeacon Govett and others, and said the formation of the proposed diocese would be a tribute to their hallowed memory.

Mr. S. Percy Smith said there was very little left for him to say. He had long felt it was necessary for the province to form a bishopric of its own. Regarding the financial aspect, if they took in parts of Auckland and Wellington they were certainly entitled to assistance from'those dioceses.

Mr. G. H. Bnskeridge (Eltham)in dealing with the necessity for the formation of the diocese said he knew of places in this enlightened province of Taranaki where people could not attend church because there was no ohurch for them to go to. That was a great point in favour «f the grocosed new diocese. With ref-

erence to the endowment fund, it has been, stated that they would have to raise £20.000 to £35,000. What was that in. a rich district like Taranaki ? It should, hardly be mentioned. (Laughter) As a business proposition he considered there was everything in its favour. There was another point—that the establishment of the diocese would be a permanent memorial of a lasting peace. Tne Yen. Arciideacon. 1)'. G. Evans said tiis question of tiie advisability of creating a bisnopnc and me question or finance must be considered together. It was entirely a movement ror tuo laity to cany tlirougn. TUere was a peculiar tiling about laranaki: if tney wanted any uimg to be done in tins province tney suouia not expect it to tie acmeved in times of prosperity, it was m times of depression mat Taranaki rose to tire occasion. He referred to tne beautiful oirurch of tit. Mary s wlucli wss bunt wiien there were only 800 men women and children here, if ever tney were going to do it, now was tlio rime to lay tne foundation stones of this great spiritual edihee—the diocese of Taranaki.

Tiie Ven. Archdeacon R. H. Reeve (Wanganui) said that after giving the matter a lot of consideration he had come to the conclusion that the present was an opportune time for going on with the movement. Alter dealing with the matter or organisation he stated that lie wished tne movement every success and would do his utmost to assist in bringing it to perfection. His Lordship Bishop Averill, said that, coming clown to bedrock, there was the question: Hid they think there was any reasonable prospect, in the near future, of the people coming forward with the necessary subscriptions? Regarding Mr. Percy Smith’s remarks about help from Auckland and Wellington, they had to bear in mind that there was now the extra taxation on church properties, which created a serious position and would prevent the dioceses of Auckland and Wellington from doing as much as they would like to do. Continuing, he said there had seemed to be a sort of apathy on the part of church people in connection with the matter. If two or three people had come forward with cheques for £IOOO then they would know where they were. But so far, he believed, they had got only a £lO note. Did they think that, looking at the matter purely on a cash basis, that the cash would be forthcoming? Several speakers expressed a strong, affirmative opinion, stating that the matter had not been placed before the people in concrete form, and that wh(m it was a satisfactory response would be forthcoming. The resolution was then p'ut and carried unanimously. The Rev. Grant Cowen moved that the vicars of the parishes and three lay representatives (to be appointed at parish meetings) comprise a general committee of the fund, with power to add to their number. Mr. R. Day seconded, and the motion was carried. It was stated that ladies would be admitted as membafe of the committee. On Mr. Day’s motion, seconded by Archdeacon Reeve, a temporary committee of five was decided upon to carry on until the permanent committee is appointed. The following were elected: The Rev. Grant Cowen and F. G. Harvie, Messrs. G. H. Hutton, G. H. Buckeridge, and T. C. Fookes. The matter ot appointing an organising secretary was discussed at length, it being recognised that this was a most important office. The Bishop said he would like to see a layman appointed, if possible, as owing to there being 16 clergymen from the Auckland diocese alone, with the forces, it would scarcely bo possible to spare one to act as organiser ot the present scheme. The Rev’ C. F. Harrison (Waitara) proposed the Rev. Mr. Grant Cowen (Hawera), who stated, however, that what applied to Auckland applied to the Wellington diocese as well, and it would be impossible for him to leave his parish. He had hoped that Archdeacon Evans would be able to carry out the work.

Mr. G. H. Buckeridge (Eltham) was then proposed, and in reply stated that recognising the great importance of the work, he could not say at present whether it would be possible for him to undertake it. He considered a clergyman and a layman should be appointed to act in conjunction. The conference then adjourned till this afternoon.