BAY OF PLENTY CLERICAL ASSOCIATION.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 26, Issue 10, 1 October 1936, Page 3

BAY OF PLENTY CLERICAL ASSOCIATION.

- There was a full attendance of members at its meeting, held at Te Puke on the 25th August. Feeling reference was made to the faithful and devout life of the late Yen. Arch. Chatterton, and the loss the church has suffered by his death. Recognition and appreciation of his long record of faithful work was placed on record. The question of a suitable memorial was' raised. It was thought that possibly the Diocese of Nelson might desire to co-operate. It was suggested that such a memorial become a subject for consideration by Synod. In answer to enquiries made by the secretary, a letter was received from the Trustees of . the Bray Library, giving information as to how to obtain its benefits. The rules require a membership of no fewer than 25, so that our association cannot, m the ordinary way, receive its benefits. It was decided, therefore, that the question of deriving the benefits of the Bray Library system be brought before the clerical conference of the October Synod. The special subject before the meeting was "The Findings of Lambeth Conference on the Reunion of Christendom." A very excellent paper, prepared for the meeting by the late Yen. Arch. Chatterton was read by Bro. Gibson. It provoked criticism and much discussion. Attention was drawn to a series of pamphlets published for the International Committee of the Church Union by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Their subject is: "The Union of Christendom," a preparation for the International Convention, 1940. They comprise 23 essays under the headings: 1. Demand for Union (3). 2. The Causes of Disruption (4). 3. The Present Grouping of Christendom (5). 4. The Possibility of a United Christendom (5). 5. The Essential Principles of Catholicism (6). The following resolutions adopted

by the Poverty Bay Clerical Association were forwarded for discussion and criticism: 1. That certain pakeha clergy should be definitely trained as missioners for Maori work. That there should be at least one m each diocese m the North Island. That nominations of suitable persons for this work should m the first case come from the Maori people. 2. That Standing Committee be asked to re-consider its decision with regard to the Aote-a-foa Church Board. 3. That small groups of Maoris and pakehas should be trained to go conjointly on mission work, m both Maori and pakeha districts. 4. That Synod be asked to set up a committee to consider the development of the musical side of the Maori church services. The resolutions were taken m order and, after careful consideration, it was decided to forward the following to the Poverty Bay Association: — "At a meeting of the Bay of Plenty Clerical Association, held at Te Puke, on 25th August, serious consideration was given to the points submitted by the Poverty Bay Clerical Association. No. 1. Regarding this it was felt that a missioner for the Maori work would be an excellent appointment, and that if a pakeha were appointed it should not exclude the possibility of the appointment of a Maori when one with the qualifications is available. We are not agreed that the appointment should come from the Maori people. No. 2. That recalling the Bishop of Waiapu's charge to Synod m 1935, we consider it is useless to ask Synod to" reconsider this question at present. No. 3. We are agreed on this. No. 4. We feel that this is a pale substitute for a spiritual revival, and although it may conserve and perpetuate music which is typically Maori, it is a question of secondary importance only.