Synod.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 2 October 1922, Page 409

Synod.

Synod met at 2.30 each day. The mornings, as usual, were occupied with conferences and meetings of committees.' There was a very good attendance of clergy and laity. Amendment of Canons. — The Commission consisting . of Archdeacons. H. Williams and W. J. Simkin and Mr E. Turner Williams, presented their report recommending a recasting and codifying of existing canons arid statutes. The amended code was accepted by Synod With slight alterations. The duties of churchWardefis and vestrymen have been carefully defined by regulation and every vestryman is to have a copy sent to him. Banns of Marriage. — In future, before bamis are called the applicant will be required to answer satisfactorily questions similar to those asked of applicants for a bishop's license, and to satisfy the minister that the parties to the marriage have been baptised. Representative to General Synod. — A bill to provide for three lay representatives instead of four was lost. Prayer Book Revision. — The Standing Committee of Genera! Synod were asked to seek freedom for the New Zealand Church to revise the prayer book for itself, instead of being bound to wait for the English revision. Parish Guilds. — Synod urged the establishment of communicants ' guilds m all parishes m order to prevent the defection of so many young confirmees. Pensions for Lay Workers.-^The Clergy Pension Board have been asked to take steps to provide pensions for laymen and lay worn en who have given themselves to the work of teachers m • Church Schools, Mission workers and other workers regularly employed by the Church. Waipukurau Property. — Permission was given for the sale of certain Church properties m Waipukurau with a view to the lending of money tb Waipukurau Parish for urgent needs, including the building of a new church ; the loan to be gradually repaid, .and the proceeds of sale to be ussd solely for the benefit of Waipukurau; Parish. Congratulations. — Synod heartily congratulated the Archbishop on his election as Primate and Archbishop. The Bishop of Waiapu expressed the pleasure that the appointment had given to all the bishops and members of General Synod. Standing Committee.— The folloAVirig Avere elected members of Standing Committee :— Clergy : Yen. Archdeacon Simkin, , Archdeacon Williams, Very Rev. the Dean, Rev. F. W. Bennett, Rev. F. B. Redgrave and Rev. Canon Butterfield. Laity: Messrs H.

J. Bull, T. Ellery, J. H. KibbleAvhite, A. G. Pallet, R. E. H. Pilsbn, A. E. Turner Williams arid F. W. Williams. Board of Nomination. — It was decided to increase the numbers of the Board by electing two clergymen and two laymen. The Yen. Archdeacons Williams and Simkin and Messrs A. E. Turner Williams and G. C. Williams were elected. Fire Insurance.— The Standing Committee were instructed to inquire into the question of insurances on Church property with a view to the more efficient carrying out of the requirements of General Synod.' Spiritual Healing.— The report of the committee appointed to investigate the subject of Spiritual Healing was read. The Bishop promised to have it printed and circulated. The Bishop was asked to appoint a further commission to continue the investigation. Rev. G. H. N. Watson.— Synod resolved that a letter of appreciation of his services to the diocese be sent to him. Mr Watson has been ajppointed Vicar of Waihao Downs (Christchurch Diocese). Communicants' Rolls and Churchings. : — In a debate on recommendations contained m the report of the Session Committee on returns and accounts, the question as to requiring returns to be furnished annually of the number of communicants on the roll and the number of Churchings taken was carefully discussed. Sunday School Organiser. — A motion was carried asking the StandingCommittee to secure the services of an Organiser for Sunday Schools. All Avho spoke emphasised the urgent need for an improvement m methods of teaching and organisation. This can be secured only by the appointment of an efficient expert m Sunday School matters to help the teachers by .-instruction and- to: outline schemes of work. The only difficulty m the way is the need of money, but, as this is a matter of the utmost importance to the Church it is hoped that the Standing Committee will be able to devise ways and means for obtaining the services of an organiser at an early date. Prohibition.— The longest debate m Synod took place on Mrs Hera Munro 's motion m favor of Prohibition as "the only immediate available remedy" for the evils of the liquor traffic. Several speakers "let themselves go m warm support of the motion. Archdeacon Williams opposed Prohibition as being a man-made shortcut that might bring material advantages but not strength of character: ...The grace of God Avas the real remedy and the best one. The Bishop said that all the American bishops at the Lambeth Conference agreed that Prohibition had

' ' transformed the whole life 'of America.", .-..■;■ . . .'< Mrs Munro,- m her reply, .'introduced' a serious innovation by singing a solo she had learned, from a Maori girl We, hope this is not the "thin end of the Avedge." The main gist of the argument was an appeal to the pakeha to vote Prohibition for the sake of the Maori younger brother. ' r The motion was carried by a large majority. Ourselves.— A fairly long' discussion took place on the "Church Gazette." An article on the sub ject will be found m another column.