ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1916, Page 4

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

MESSAGE TO SOLDIERS. By 'j'elegraph.—Press Association, Christdntrch, May Ift. The General Synod U-night ordered the following message to soldiers to be dispatched to chapla'iis with the forces:— "We, the bishops, clergy, and laity of the Church of the Province of NewZealand, assembled in General Sj'nod at Christchurch, ask yon to* greet the .soldiers of New Zealand in our names and tell them we are piv t-d of what they have already done. We trust entirely to them to uphold the honor of God, their King, and country. Tell them they are never out of our tl.rughts; they are remembered before Gul daily in the churches of their own land, together with their comrades who have fallen. Our hearts are with tluai in the dangers and hardships they faw with the sick and wounded ir their sufferings; with the devoted doctors, ni.rsea, ambulance staffs, and all others who minister to their needs. We pray the Almighty to bless them and hasten the day of glad reunion and vieto:y won. They are your own brother*.' Minister to the soldiers in spiritual things. We wish God-speed to your work, and assure you of the de?p sympathy and strong support of all your fellowchurchmen. We "pray continually that the strong hand of Gad be upon your ministrations." LOST BY ONE VOTE. FRANCHISE FOR WOMEN. At the Anglican General Synod tonight a bill granting the franchise to women to vote at parish meetings was rejected. As the outcome of a slip made by the Primate when the-division was about to be taken Archdeacon Cowie was improperly excluded, the doors being closed too early. The voting was: Ayes— Bishops li, clergy 8, laity 9; noes — Bishops 2, clergy 8, laity 6. A majority of each order was necessary to carry the bill.

At a later stage the Primate admitted his mistake, aim said if Archdeacon Cowie pressed for a vote he would have to allow it. Archdeacon Cowie did not press th': matter, and the former' voting wa.s alh-'ved to stand,