“WAS A SLIGHT ON THE PRESBYTERY.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18992, 11 February 1930, Page 10

“WAS A SLIGHT ON THE PRESBYTERY.”

MAYOR IS QUESTIONED ABOUT RECENT FUNCTION

The Presbyterian community of Christchurch is reported to be up in arms over the pre-eminence given to representatives of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches at the farewell ceremony here to the GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles Fergusson and Lady Alice Fergusson. At the monthly meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery this morning, a discussion on the subject took place in committee. When approached at the conclusion of the meeting Mr W. 11. Rose, by whom the matter had been raised, said the position was that at the function he noticed that seats had been reserved in the front row for the reprc- - sentatives of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. “ I looked in vain,” he said, “ for our own representative. I later learnt that he was there, but had been relegated to a seat at the back. It was an extraordinary position for us to be placed in as the Governor-General is a ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and has identified himself very closely with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand during his term of office. I think the same courtesy should have been shown to the Moderator of our Presbytery, as the official representative of our church.”

The Presbytery decided to put the position before the Mayor to see that the Presbyterians received equal rights on future public occasions as the representatives of other churches. This expression of opinion was unanimously supported by the members present. Question of Preference. “ The position as I see it,” said the Rev T. Paterson, “ is that every church should be given equal representation when no church has State connection, such as is the case in New Zealand. If any preference is shown it should be given to the two representatives of the national churches of Scotland and England. “ I regard it as a slight not only on the Presbyterian community but also on the other churches involved.” Moderator’s View. “ I felt very slighted to be relegated to the back seat,” said the Moderator, the Rev J. Miller. “ Others had reserved seats, then why not myself? I have no desire for newspaper notoriety over the matter, however. “ I announced to the usher that I was Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery and that I was representing that body at the function and in that capacity I think I was entitled to equal pre-eminence with the representatives of other faiths.”

Mayor Replies. When the matter was referred to the Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer) by a reporter, he stated that they had decided to make the invitations as representative as possible. “Itis a pity that Mr Miller did not get in touch with myself or the Town Clerk. It was purely a mis-arrangement of seats and there was no motive for it. So far as I know every attempt was made to treat everyone alike. It is unfortunate, but I myself knew nothing about it. It was not mentioned to me at the time, nor has it been since up to now. Naturally I would see that the so-called nonconformist representatives had very good consideration because lam one myself. It is unfortunate, but appears to arise from a mistake on the part of the usher.” i*] ® @ [*] a © © © © gi [*] g] @ [S @ g] ® @ ® [*