NEW ANGLICAN DIOCESE.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16152, 28 November 1924, Page 4

NEW ANGLICAN DIOCESE.

APPROVED IN TARANAKI. HEADQUARTERS IN HAMILTON. ADDRESS BY BISHOP AVERILL, The proposal that the Auckland Anglican diocese should be subdivided and a new Walkato-Taranaki diocese, with headquarters at Hamilton, be created, was supported by the Taranaki Archdeaconry Boarl. Bishop Averill presided. A motion favouring the scheme was carried by 13 votes to 7. An amendment that a solution be found by the appointment of an assistant bishop for the Auckland diocese was defeated by 13 votes to 6. Bishop Averill gave a reminder that the first step towards the division of the diocese came from Taranaki. When he first became Bishop of Auck- > land there was a movement toward the ' creation of a Taranaki bishopric. Conferences were held and an attempt was made to collect sufficient money. The question came before the General Synod on at least two occasions. One occasion was when it was attempted to get the boundaries decided. On the other occasion it was urged, that the scheme would progress pore favourably and quickly if it was decided that the centre of the new diocese was to be In New Plymouth. That was passed, and as things were at present still held the field. Subsequently, as the scheme did not progress, ~lt was decided to leave it in abeyance. The Taranaki trustees were holding the funds that had been collected. It was a strange fact that no new bishoprics had been made in 65 years. If the/ Church was not to die. but to progress, it was time there were more' bishops and new dioceses m New Zealand. The bishop repudiated the statement that had been made that the proposed division was being made to assist an over-worked bishop. ' He was not over-worked, but fully .worked, and he was most thankful for the ; splendid health that he had always enjoyed, which enabled him always to fulfil his engagements. He rather resented the idea that he was overworked, and also the statement that the two previous bishops had broken taown through over-work. They had done nothing of the sort, and he felt it was just as well to keep to the truth in the matter. The bishop said he knew perfectly well that the scheme did not appeal strongly to the older members of the Church in Taranaki. He knew that they had looked forward to having a new diocese, with the centre at New Plymouth, and he had a lot of sympathy wjth them, but what should be their attitude? he asked. Would it be right for Taranaki to stand out and take up the dog-in-the-manger attitude? There was ne prospect of Taranaki being able to offer anything better, and he felt their attitude should be with the best grace to throw in their lot with 'the new scheme. His idea wasvthe formation of two new diocesesr—one with its centre at Hamilton, taking in the Bay of Plenty, and another at this end; extending as far as Marton. But that was not likely at the present tune, though he hoped It would eventually come about. What had to be considered at present was the creation of the proposed diocese, and he considered the proposal for the Hamilton diocese would hasten the creation of a diocese on this side. Then there was the other question of what Taranaki could do practically for the support of a bishop' under the proposed scheme. The suggestion had been made that of "any money raised" and contributed the" prinoipal should be returned when a diocese was formed on this side. Taranaki had its endowments, and uo doubt help oould be given with these, which would still be Taranaki endowments. In the proposed diocese Maoris would not be admitted, as this work was distinctly missionary work, and would he a drain oh the resources of a newly-formed diocese. The Maoris had a valuable endowment at Te Awamutu, and this, with help that came from Christchurch to the amount of £2OO a year, would form a nucleus of a fund. He believed, however, for the next three years, to enable the new diocese to become firmly established, the work should be undertaken by the Auckland diocese.

Mr E. S. Rutherford moved that it be a recommendation to the Auckland representatives at the General* Synod to press for an immediate revision of all the diocesan boundaries in the North Island.

Mr E. W- M. Lysons moved: "That this meeting of the Taranaki Archdeaconry Board realises the necessity for a subdivision of the Auckland diocese, and agrees to the formation of a new diocese of Waikato and Taranaki, with heademarters at' Hamilton." This aroused considerable discussion, the general feeling being that, while the scheme was not the one that Taranaki liked best, if Taranaki opposed It the proposal for a new diocese would be dropped. The desirability of a diocese for Taranaki was recognised, but several speakers supported the Hamilton scheme in the absence of 4 better proposal. The motion was carried. ARCHDEACON COWIE'S COMMENT. "MATTER FOR THANKFULNESS." Commenting on the decision of the Taranaki Archdeaconry Board to support the establishment of a WaikatoTaranaki Anglican diocese Archdeacon Cowie said that it was a matter for thankfulness and congratulation that the Taranaki people had agreed to the proposed subdivision. . The scheme simply marked one step towards a more general subdivision and formation of other dioceses. The Taranaki people who were objecting to the headquarters of their diocese being in Hamilton thus had the satisfaction of knowing that the arrangement was merely a temporary one, and that before long they would form either the centre or a portion of another diocese.