AUCKLAND LAYMEN'S LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1141, 31 May 1911, Page 4

AUCKLAND LAYMEN'S LEAGUE

OPERATIONS'SUSPENDED. The third annual meeting of the Laymen's League, a pronounced Low Church and anti-rihial organisation, was Iwld last Friday evening in the St. Mark's , Hall, Auckland, the president, Mr. AV. J. Speight, being in the chair. Some twenty-five persons were present, tho weather.being unfavourable.

The annual report of the council stated that as to the future, much depended on tho newly-elected Bishop, who was entitled to the support of ■ all sections of Church people. After carefully reviewing the present position, the council had come to the conclusion that sinco certain past difficulties existed no longer, the lime.was ripe for, a union of hearts and purposes with the advent of a new Bishop. The council had, therefore, concluded that, with the object of assisting towards such a. desirable end, the League should take the pronounced'step of suspending its operations, tintl thus-by .example to invite others to consider their position also.

Mr. Moray moved that the report be adopted, and that the proposal to suspend the League'? operations and'the issue of the "New Zealand Churchman" bo approved. Mr. W. .Scanlen seconded. Mr. li. E. Hunt moved as an amendment, "That while agreeing with the report in general this meeting desires that the work of the League be continued as heretofore." The League, he said, was doing a good work, and he did not see why that work should bo thrown away when it was only beginning. He did not say a word against the new Bishop, but why need they ccase all operations now that lie had como? They all wished to help him, but there was no reason why they should remain silent so far as their paper was concerned. Sir. F. Knight seconded, and referred to the growing influence of "High Church" periodicals in the diocese. The chairman- said that - the proposal had been passed by the council, though Messrs. Hunt and Binns, who wero on that body, had spoken against it. The League had been called into existence by a critical situation in the diocese, but now circumstances had changed. They should not leave their Bishop severely alone, as one speaker had suggested, but should help and serve him. He was entitled to a clear field in his new diocese, and anyone would be a traitor who failed to support him. The amendment was then put and lost, after which the motion was carried unanimously. .Mr. Alex. Hose then moved, "That no election of officers now take place, but that the president, hon. secretary, and lion, treasurer be appointed to deal with any business that may require to be disposed of, and call a general meeting of members should such at any time become Mr. Cameron seconded (lie motion, \<:hich was carried.