GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 42, 13 November 1926, Page 7

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

PROHIBITION ORGANISATION. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. continued its sitting yesterday. • The special committee recommended that the resignation of Professor Hcwitson as Master ot Knox College be accepted, as from December 31, 1927, and expressed its regret at the loss of his services.

It was intimated that Professor Hewitson had acquiesced in the date.

The debate on the 'emperance question was resumed on the last clause of the committee’s report That in connection with the New Zealand Alliance (a) the Assembly asks for direct representation on the Alliance Executive Committee; (b) urges upon all congregations the duty of supporting the Alliance finance's by allowing the annual financial appeal to be made by the card system in vogue or in some other way considered more suitable to local conditions; (c) it accepts the general principle of setting free some of our ministers in campaign year, and instructs the Committee to prepare a detailed scheme for submission to next Assembly.” •

The following overture from the Taranaki'Presbytery was also under review at the same time “Whereas there is a considerable amount of dissatisfaction and even antagonism among ministers nnd workers who are entirely sympathetic to prohibition, towards the Alliance, based on various criticisms, e.g., the financial methods, over-cen-tralisation, and dissatisfaction with agents, the General Assembly adopt the following plans for bringing the Church into more active co-operation with the Alliance: The General Assembly to appoint its own representatives on the Dominion Executive of the Alliance. No appeals for help to be recognised unless the approach has been made through the official machinery of the Church. A campaign to secure active work and co-operation conducted by the denomination itself, the basis cf such campaign to be-the idea that the winning, of individuals is the work of the local Church, the Alliance being the- organised machin-

ery for combined and political action. The organisation within congregations of a Tetnperence group vvho shall- do regular work within a given district, such as distribution of suitable educational literature, the local league to be a co-ordinating Committee of local activities.”

The Rev W. J. Comrie (Wellington) challenged the statement that fewer ministers, and office-bearers, were now taking part in the Alliance campaign than ever before. The criticism launched in the Assemble nt the Alliance was an indication of the interest taken in the matter. There should be power to nominate representatives on the Alliance, because, without the assistance of the Churches, the Alliance would be ended in a fortnight. The Rev. H. Evans (Taranaki) advanced the suggestion of his presbyterv that the last two clauses of their overture should replace clauses (b) and (c) of the motion. He .protested against outsiders coming into liis congregation appealing for funds for the prohibition cause. If money had to be raised by tbe Church for Alliance work, let them do it themselves, an 1 not shunt the job on other people. (Hear, hear.) The result of the last poll was not an indication

of efficiency. They wanted an organisation that would win. The amendment was carried by a large majority, and the motion, as amended, was passed. Women in the Church. The women’s training institute committee reported to last night’s meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly that, in its opinion future progress depended upon the tidiest use being made of the . large reserve of able and consecrated women available in the Church. The report was adopted, Broadcasting Sermons. More about the effect of broadcasting church services was heard at, last night’s sitting, when Mr. D. B. Stewart, of North Auckland', a home missionary, stated that clergymen who were broadcasting their services were making it very hard for the home missionary in the country district.' People who ‘.‘listened in” on a Sunday night did not do so as ail act of worship, but for entertainment purposes. The invitation of the Christchurch Presbytery to the Presbyterian General Assembly, to meet next year in that city, was accepted, an amendment to meet in Auckland being lost, the date' will probably be November !«>.•

When Charles S. Insley was rowing in the direction of Petone at 7 a.m. yesterday he got caught in the wash of the Wahine as that vessel was berthing. The skiff capsized and Irisley was thrown into the water. Four boats were lowered, two from hulks, one from the Harbour Board pilot staff, and tbe emergency boat of tbe Wahine, and he was picked up before anything serious happened. He was about 200 yards from the ship when the accident occurred. • ' '