METHODIST-MAYOR

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1933, Page 3

METHODIST-MAYOR

WELLINGTON SYNOD’S DECISION

COMMENT FROM DUNEDIN

'DUNEDIN, November 17

At its sitting yesterday the Wellington''Methodist Synod carried a remit which opposes the principle of any minister in circuit work' seeking-a public position, such as membership of Parliament or the mayoralty of a city or borough. The original! motion to amend the regulations in that direction was carried, and it now becomes- a.'-'remit ..to the Methodist conference. When asked this morning whether he would care to comment on the remit, the Mayor (the Rev. E. 1. Ccx) said that although there wa s already a regulation preventing a minister of the Church from holding office a s a member of Parliament, there was, no regulation preventing a-minister from occupying-a, .ciyic pffic«,s,*.such as that of.- mayor; foj pital board, ■ y' “While I -am the.;'first' Methodist rpinjster to be elected mayor, of a city,’ said •Mr Cox, “many, of our ministers occupied positions as councillors or members of hospital boards. In fact, some have been chairmen of hospital boards. No exception has ever been taken by the authoritative bodies in -regard to their holding such positions. “I am not surprised that some mention was made of the matter at the Wellington Synod, .but 1 am surprised that? the resolution- was carried. It is in ; clistinct contrast to- the attitude of my own synod, at which the chairman publicly congratulated me on holding the- office of Mayor.; of Dunedin. Now that the Wellington Synod l^a s passed thak resolution, the matter must come before the annual conference, .to be held in Wellington in February.’,’