WOMEN AS ELDERS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19166, 24 November 1927, Page 5

WOMEN AS ELDERS.

DISCUSSION BY ASSEMBLY. One matter which eamo before the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand yesterday dealt with the admission of females as elders of the Church. The matter was raised at the last meeting of the Assembly, and had been referred back to Presbyteries for consideration. At yesterday's session the Rev. J. 11. Mackenzie said that of the sixteen Presbyteries five approved: Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Wairarnpa (three dissented), Wellington, and Central Otago. Six disapproved: Auckland, Taranaki, Waikato, Westland, Ashburton, Oamaru. Christchurch approved of opening to eldership, but not to the ministry. Timaru approved of the first part but not of the second. Auckland North approved of opening to eldership and added: "That all avenues of Church work should be thrown open to women." Mataura approved: "Subject to its being supported by a largo majority of Sessions and Presbyteries aiid in the Assembly." Duned'in approved: "Provided that the matter be sent down again by the General Assembly before becoming the law of the Church." With regard to the reply from the Dunedin Presbytery, Mr" Mackenzie stated that there never had been any intention of adopting the proposal before sending it down to the Presbyteries again under the Barrier Act, which prescribes tho proceduro to be followed in making innovations. The Rev. W. J. Comrie moved: "That the word 'male' in the Book of Order with rospect to the - qualifications of elders be deleted, and the motion be sent _ down to Presbyteries under the Barrier Act." In his opinion it was gratifying that the Church had so largely approved of'the proposal. Some Presbyteries had not approved of the admission of women as ministers, but there was a feeling of sympathy with regard to admission of women as elders. Tho speaker held that it was not logic* 1 or right to exclude women from eldership and he believed that the Presbyteries would affirm the principle. He thought that the change would be beneficial to the Church, and would be for the glory of the women of the Church.

The motion was supported by Professor J. Cumming. The Eev. G. W. Blair (North Auckland), in supporting the motion, said that he had always fought consistently for women's rights. He considered that the time had arrived when women should be admitted to courts of the Church. Women were now taking part in many activities outside the Church and he saw no reason why the Church should keep them out. It had been stated that there were too many "old women" in tho Church, but it was not made clear whether they were in the pews or in the pulpits. He maintained that the best way to get rid of the "old women" was to appoint young women of ability and sense to eldership. Tho motion was carried on a show of hands by a large majority.