ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1916, Page 8

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

A DIOCESE FOR TARANAKI. | By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, May 15. The Anglican General Synod dealt with a number of matters of Church government, mainly financial matters and the pensions fund. A propsal for a new diocese in Taranaki was passed. Bishop Averill said that in five years, owing to the growth of Taranaki, a new diocese would be necessary. CHAPLAINS AND SOLDJERS. Cliristchureh. May 13. At to-day's meeting of the General Synod it was decided that the Government and King's Regulations relating to religious observances in the forces be strictly observed. In moving the motion. Archdeacon Ruddock said the present military authorities apparently only recognised two denominationsRoman Catholic and Protestants. General Godley said the King's Regulations did not apply, although in all other matters those Regulations were enforced with the Expeditionary Force. The value of the Regulations rested in the fact that no man was forced to attend services of any other denomination but his own. The senior chaplain fixed the services. In Egvpt, however, all and sundry were required to attend church parades ordered by the officer in command. These were held by brigades of 4000 men at a common service in the open air. Was it any wonder that tljere was often a tendency to irreverctice ? He read a letter from a chaplain in Egypt, in which the chanlain said he protested to a certain officer that the common services were against the wish of the Bishop. The reply was to the effect that the officer hoped the Bishops would be put together on an island and left there. Members asked the name of the officer, and Archdeacon Ruddock said General Godley. Another officer of a mounted regiment refused permission for an Anglican Communion service on the grounds that Communion services were held every Sunday, by the Presbyterians, which the men could attend. On the transports there was often one chaplain for all denominations but the Roman Cathelic, while in one instance a Salvation Army officer had charge of 1000 men. The time had come to demand their undoubted rights as a Church. (Applause.) He desired to say he did not desire to convey the impression of attacking the Hon. ,t, Allen in any way. ■ He thought it was purely the result of the attitude taken up by the military authorities. On Archdeacon Ruddock's motion, it was decided—"That the Bishops of the Province be asked to take steps that may secure the observance, of the King's Regulations in regard to parade services in territorial camps where they may act as chaplains." Al?o, "That thisSynod requests the Minister of Defence to give definite instructions to all officers in command to adhere to the. King's Regulations as regards religious services in the different home camps and with the Expeditionary Forces."