HATCHET BURIED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 398, 5 July 1928, Page 16

HATCHET BURIED

WAIKATO DIOCESAN CONTROVERSY HOPEFUL SOLUTION REACHED (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Wednesday. The long controversy which has existed in Waikato Anglican circles reached finality to-day, when, following the presentation of a petition regarding the unrest in the diocese, the following official statement was issued for publication: — “A petition was presented to the Synod of Waikato on Tuesday evening referring to the unrest in the diocese, and after a very full and frank discussion by the synod in committee, a sub-committee representative of all parties was elected to meet the bishop and put the whole matter before him. This subcommittee unanimously drew up a statement for presentation to the bishop. TO MAKE FRESH START “This statement referred very clearly to the widespread uneasiness >n the diocese regarding the actions and policy of the bishop, and made it plain that the confidence of a considerable portion of the diocese iad been shaken. The sub-com-mittee insisted on the necessity for a great effort being made to regain this lost confidence, and to make a fresh start on lines that would reunite the whole people In this work. The bishop was assured of the wholehearted support of synod. “The sub-committee felt it only fair to the bishop to state that the standing committee itself should accept full responsibility for the present financial position c gl the diocese. HOPEFUL SOLUTION REACHED “It was also felt that in future it was most desirable that the bishop should be guided by a standing committee quite open, candid, and fearless in their advice and suggestions to the bishop, not in a spirit of opposition or disloyalty, but in the best interests both of the bishop and the diocese. “Canon Gavin presented the report to synod in committee, and in doing so he said the whole matter had been discussed very frankly and no one had concealed his* opinion. The report was unanimous, and he hoped synod would be equally unanimous in accepting it. “The report was received by synod unanimously, and it was felt that a hopeful solution had been reached. It was a victory for no one, and no one was defeated. It was rather a coming together of all parties for the benefit of the whole diocese, and it was felt that there was no need for a long discussion. BISHOP OFFERS TO RESIGN “The bishop made a short statement, in which he stressed the sincerity of his offer to resign the see if it was the desire of the synod that he should do so, and declined to make any attempt to influence the decision of the synod. He also expressed his willingness to abide by the spirit of the resolution if the synod wished him to continue in office. “Evidently very great relief was

felt by the synod at this statement, and the applause of synod showed a determination to work together for the good of the diocese as a whole, and it is hoped that church people will loyally follow the lead of the synod and the bishopj*