LADY CHURCH OFFICERS. Why Not?

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 170, 3 October 1903, Page 8

LADY CHURCH OFFICERS. Why Not?

BISHOP NELIGAN said, the other day, that only in one church had he found that the congregation was composed of more women than men. Which is explained by the fact that the men knew the Bishop was coming, and therefore, m deference to his -3putation as a preacher, they "turned out." The average man, however, will agree with us that a peep into the average church on a Sunday morning, will show that there is an overwhelming majority of covered heads. As men remove their hats, the inference is obvious. * * • As w e once before pointed out, if the local cleigyman wants to organise anything, if he desires canvassers for any chuich object, if there is a "social," a supper, or a concert, he does not call on his male parishioners. He goes to the enthusiastic portion of Ins floek — the women. They form the larger portion of our church congregations , not only, we believe, because they are more devotionally inclined, but because it is a pleasant break in the monotony o: life. The average man has variety, he sees more, he tiavels more widely, and most frequently he "loafs" around in his oldest suit on Sundays. He has a club or a lodge for week nights. He doesn't feei the same necessity for the social side of church-going as does his

wife. Hence she is the worker — the staff on which !the clergy lean in times of trouble. * '„ * * It might be thought, therefore, that the women would, even in a greater degree than the men, be able to fiM administrative offices, and settle Church business. Although the fair sex have held the right from time immemorial to drop the largest possible coin into the colleotionbox, and to do all other acts consonant with their position as chuiroh members, they have had no voting power at parish meetings. The matter was brought up for the second timei at the Diocesan Synod this week. It appears that women have been approached on the question, and that, although those whowanted the privilege of voting extended to them, were in the majority, not many troubled themselvesi about it. * -t • But, if the privilege were extended to them they would still only be able to vote for mal© officers. This, of course, is 1 the apparent injustice. Asit has been set forth recently that a position in the Legislature should not be outside the reach of women, it is reasonable that Ghurohwomen should have representation as Church officers, seeing that they supply most of thewherewithal to prosecute Church work. Probably, the male oflice>-holder is frequently held in the hollow of his wife's, hand, and she is a church-goer, so that she really now gets the work and directs the operation without the honours and titular distinction attaching thereto. * * # The fact that the Church ladies who weire asked to express an opinion on the subject did so but shyly is an indication only that they are of the old type, and r likely to drift iato the National Council. Still, one might have thought that positions such as those indicated would have suited ladies, and that their administrative assistance would have been of much va^ue to harassed parsons. Many clergymen are against the proposition, which fs ungrateful, for it is certain that were the aid of the ladies withdrawn there would be still smaller stipends, and fewer of the "Cloth."

The Government Railway Department advertises that they will issue holiday excursion tickets to Hastings, and Napier, at Te Aro and intermediate stations, on sth, 6th, 19th, and 20th October, available to 26th October, in order to afford the public cheap transport to the Hawke's Bay Races and Show. The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts will hold its annual exhibition, commencing: on Wednesday next, October 7th. His Excellency the Governor will open the exhibition, and the admission for that day will be 2s 6d'. Thereafter, during the two weeks following, the price will bp Is. The exhibition comprises many gems, notably some from the brush of Dr. Goldie, of Auckland, and other well-known artists at a distance. Now that the summer season is approaching, Messrs. Thomson, Lewis, and Co., draw attention in our columns to the fact that they won the first prize gold medal and diploma at the London Exhibition, 1898, which proves conclusively that their drinks must be excellent.