DIOCESAN SYNOD.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18480, 7 September 1925, Page 6

DIOCESAN SYNOD.

TO MEET NEXT MONTH. The current isuw of the ' Church News 1 ' dealing; wii.h the coming session of ' the Christchurrh Diocesan Synod has the following:--On the recommendation of Stanaxng Committee, the Commissary has appointed Tuesday, October 20th, for the opening of the ordinary seesidn ot Synod. Difficulty has been experienced in obtaining a suiLable hall, as the , Provincial Chamber is not now avaolable, alterations to the wooden portion . of the buildings having driven t,he Government offices into tie haH until the alterations are effected. The circumstance will force on the attention of Svnod the fact, obscured by the accident that, the Provincial Chamber-has been available hitherto, that wnth the demolition of the old Library, the Diocese has no Svnod Hall- Enquiries are being made with a view to acquiring such a building. It is generally anticipated that Synod will bo very brief this year, and wrl finish at latest by Friday night. No important policy matters are likely to be broached i» the absence of a Bishop, and but for the necessity of "voting supplies," a third session of Synod would possibly not be considered desirable. The Fundamental Clauses.

One very important matter which no doubt will be brought before Synod arises out of the last triennial session of General Synod—the proposed application to Parliament for protection of tho Church's property in the ©vent of any alteration of the ''fundamental clauses." It is proposed by General Synod to promote a Bill in Parliament "to enable Synod from time to time to alter, revoke, add to, or diminish the Fundamental Provisions of the Constitution so that the Church, shall have practically tho autonomy which; as a branch of the Catholic Church she now possesses theoretically." This was moved by Archbishop Julius and carried and "the draft Bill was subsequently adopted and referred to Ehe Diocesan EJynods. Archbishop Ave rill, Messrs C. J. Tunks, H. D. Andrews, T. F. Martin and H. E. Evans were appointed as a Commission to act for General Synod, with power to amend or consent to amendment of the proposed Bill as might be considered expedient. As the Bill has to be confirmed by General Synod at its next ordinary session, consideration may bo deferred in order to shorten the Diocesan session this year