PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18230, 14 November 1924, Page 14

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

YESTERDAY'S SESSION. (fbiss association tslkokah.) PALMERSTON N., November 13. Among the recommendations adopted by the Presbyterian General Assembly in discussing the foreign missions report this evening were the following: To endorse the resolution of the committee with -regard to political control of the New Hebrides, and to urge upon the Government the. necessity oT impressing upon the Imperial authorities that the only adequate solution of the problem was British control either direct or under a League of Nations mandate; also to approve the.principle of transfer of chapel property to the trustees of the Chinese Church whenever the local congregation is strong enough to carry the financial burden. The report was spoken ,to by the Rev. H. Jupii, convener of the committee. and Mrs Hewit.son,, president - of the P.W.M.U., while the Rev. H. H. Barton, of the committee, 'dealt lengthily .with the Condominium and the unsatisfactory French control.' To hand over any landls to the French in equal division of control, would .be to accentuate the deplorable conditions, prevailing. -There was only one solution: British control, which was a matter for negotiation. The -Presbyterian Church was "going to see that the moral and physical development of the' people Would be- pursued: . In India the line trite thinly held. • The Church, to-day was : there face face, with an era comparable to the Renaissance period in Europe. .-If the Churdh waß going to retrench it was going to fail in the face of a great opportunity.

(■P*CIAL TO "TH* SBBS8.") PALMERSTON N., Novemter 13. Atvtlje Assembly-this morning the Rev. J. Paterson, of Wangaimi, presented the report of the Bibl& in Schools Committee. He; explained how Mr Isitt's Bill had lieen lost by one vote in the Legislature, and advised all to stand by the present policy of the Bn in the hope of getting it passed' through Parliament next session. He moved the adoption-of the, report. This • xvas seconded- by the Rev. J. Milne- (Thames); who made a strong appeal for unity ;in policy and action. There was neea for.the Bible in the schools, as there was a real danger of children growing up Jheathen. Instruction in home and Sunday School was not.sufficient to save them from this. He was told that the Labour Party were opposed to the Bill, but he found it hard to believe that they woiild oppose the..teaching of the.Carpenter of Nazareth in face of such a universal desire to have it read in the schools. It was said- that the Roman Catholic Church opposed it, but he would appeal to that, .Church, which had given so many martyrs' to Christendom, to • help the Bill through in the name of their common Lord and for the sake of the 'children of th e. Dominion. . , ■ _ The resolution was carried unanimously. It was further agreed to thank Mr Isi'tt, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education and' all the members who helped the Bill. It was also screed to affirm the Assembly's adherence to the programme of . the. Bill, and . to instruct tKe committee to join with the- other. churches in making another effort this .Parliament to pass the Bill. . . •• . ... • The last: clause .in the deliverance—that if the Bill-does not become ;law. during- this -Parliament the committee be. instructed- to unite with the efforts to secure members favourable to the j Bible in schools at. the next electipn—l was referred to the Public • Questions j Committee, for a'import. • i