THE ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 867, 13 July 1910, Page 4

THE ANGLICAN SYNOD.

SPECIAL SERVICE FEES. 'The Anglican Synod resumed yesterday at 4 p.m.,.tho Bishop of AVcllington (Dr. Wallis) presiding. Tho first business was a continuation of tho debate on the llev. W. J. M'Conncll's motion providing for tho remission of special, service fees.

Archdeacon Harper moved an amendment providing that only burial fees (cxclusivo of sexton's'fee, Bs.) and churching- fees,.. bo remitted. ' Tho clergy, ho' said, were all in favour of doing away with the burial fee, notwithstanding tho fact that the last rites wore frequently administered in tho caso of people who had never contributed towards- tho support of tho church. It.was tho lay voto that had led to tho retention of tho fee. To remit tho marriage fee would residt in a groat diminution of .tho jraision fund. In the great majority of cases pcoplo were very.'ready to pay the clergymen, but 'they would, not contribute to tho pension fund unlcsn a domaud wero made.

-. Tho Rev. W. Fancourt said it was quite right that people who only canm to tho church for special services should be callod upon- to make some payment. : Speaking as oho of tho Pension Fund Trustees,- Mr. G. - Shirtcliffo ■ saw no necessity for- the proposed • remission of fees. The fees returned last year £430, and church people in general had raised 1 no complaint. The clergy already had the right to remit tho burial fees in necessitous cases, and this was quite sufficient. -

A number nf laymen agreed that tho fees should be allowed to stand.

Archdeacon Jacob said that the foos wore not' consistently collected: Somo parishes returned considerable sums from this source, and others returned nothing at all.

The Bishop said that so long as these fees were • imposed by resolution of synod, • tho clergy ought. to feel it a matter of .conscience to collect. them. •

; The Rev. ,J. D. Russell said it was just-because.they felt it at. present a matter ..of conscience to collect theso fees that they desired to abolish them.. : The Rev. W. J. M'Connell said.tho amendment would result in a greater loss to tho Pension .Fund than the original motion.

Both amendment aud original motion were rejected on tho voices, not a single lay voice being raised with the "ayes' ; in.tho latter vote.

GENERAL MISSION. A series of resolutions woro passed detailing arrangements to be observed during tho General Mission which is to commence iij New. Zoaland about September next.

/It was agreed on the motion of tho, Roy. J.. D..Eusscll that tho thank of-, ferings from tho General Mission bo devotnd to tho establishment of a permanent mission agency in the diocese.

STANDING COMMITTEE. Tho_ following were elected as the Standing Committee: — Archdeacons Fancourt, tho Revs. A. M. Johnson, J. Jones, J.'D. Russell, T. H. Sprott, and A. 0. -"Williams; Messrs. E. Anderson, W. J. Birch, E. H. Deane, W. Jacob, J. Kebbell, J. Martin, P. R. Russell, G'.-'Shirt-cliffe, and R. Wilberfoss. ' ;■ ■,;. ■ ' •

END OF SESSION. The synod concluded its labours at .5.40 p.m. Votes of thanks, were passed to. the Rev. A. . W., Comptou for his : .services as secretary, to those .who Jiad hospitably entertained visiting mem-x bors, and to Messrs. 1 Wilbcrfoss, and ; Anderson, for,, their,.endeav.Qurs.-in-, formulating a-.s.eheme of .insurance-for the" .clergy., ; . ~'; , : . I.'The synod also, passed a. vote . of thanks- to the press. , During tho afternoon ~ the Bishop made- special'..reference, to the. painstak-, ing' and; efficient manner .in.,which Mr. AV. Jacob and .the. Financei Comiuittea had carried out their duties.