PROPOSED TARANAKI DIOCESE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1917, Page 6

PROPOSED TARANAKI DIOCESE.

ANGLICAN CONFERENCE. ENDOWMENT FUND TO BE RAISED.

A representative conference of clergy and laity of the Church of England was held in St. Mary's Hall, yesterday, to consider the question of the advisability of immediately raising an endowment fund for the proposed diocese of Taranaki. The Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Averill) presided, and there were also present the Archdeacons of Taranaki (the Veil. F. G. Evans), Waitotara (the Ven. R. H. Reeve) and Waimate (the Veil. H. G. -Hawkins), and the Revs. C. H. Howard (Stratford), H. W. Smith (home mission), H. Barnett (home mission), E. L. Harvie (Inglewood), C. F. Harrison (Waitara), H. A. Favell (Te Henui), F. (.}. Harvie (St. Mary's, New Plymouth), F. R. Rawle (curate, St. Mary's), C. Addenbrooke (Olcato), J. G. Kempthorne (Taumarunui), H. F. GrantCowan (Hawera), R. H. Hobday (Eltham), Walke (Opunake), Hands (Waverley), N. Barnett (Patea), and Kaipo (Maori mission), together with the following representatives of the laity: Messrs T. C. Fookes (Stratford), Hutton (Inglewood), H. Joll (Waitara), R. Day (Te Henni), S. Percy-Smith (New Plymouth), G. Buckeridge (Eltham), Graham (Hawera), J. Leaver (Opunake), A. G. Wallace (Waverley), and S. Smith (Piko). The Rev. E. L. Harvie was appointed secretary to the conference. His Lordship said that it gave him great pleasure to preside at the conference. The question of the new diocese had occupied the of the people of Taranaki for many years past. It was not merely a question for the clergy, for the help of the laity was particularly needed, hence the conference. The questitfJl of a new diocese for Taranaki had always wet with the general approval of the clergy because it was realised that the population of the North Island was increasing rapidly, and would increase far more rapidly in the future. It was a long time since any new bishopric had been created in New Zealand, and he felt that there was now room in the North Island for a new diocese. The synod had fixed the boundaries of the proposed diocese so as to include a considerable portion of the King Country, and a portion of the present Wellington diocese. He had always considered that if. a diocese was to be formed it should be a large one that would give considerable relief to the dioceses of Auckland and Wellington. Something definite must be decided 011 at once. The conference should decide whether the matter should go ahead at once or be dropped altogether. If it was decided to go on, ways and means could then be considered. Personally, he would be sorry to lose the Taranaki portion of his diocese, but he felt very strongly that it was in the interests of the church that a new diocese should be formed, and he would do everything in his power to help forward the movement. The northern part of the Auckland province was progressing so rapidly ftat in a short time a separate bishopric m j>ht have to be formed there. The matter'of the formation of a Taranaki diocese woilUl have to be finally settled by the synod, which would require evidence that the districts affected would give the necessary financial support. Applications for subscriptions could not be made on the understanding that the diocesan control would be at New Plymouth, or at Hawera, or at any town in the province, for that was a matter that would be fixed by the synod, and no one place would have any special right. It had to be remembered that the movement was | solely for the honor and glory of God, and personal interests must not be allowed to influence the minds of the conference.

The Rev. F. 6. Harvie moved: "That this conference, representing the clergy and laity within the boundaries of the future diocese of Taranaki, as laid down by the general synod of 1910, is of the opinion that steps should at once be taken towards creating the said diocese by raising an endowment fund sufficient to meet the requirements of the general 'synod." In supporting tho motion, he slid that the need for the new diocese was' indisputable. At present the province U11( l er tlie administration of the BishcW of Auckland and Wellington, both far removed, mid the result of this was that the church matters tended to be.intensely panNjlfol- The clergy were told on all hands the time was liqt hut it did il PP ear that would be more opportiM* i° r perhaps 20 years. \ The Rev. C. H. Grarit-CawatSPft'd fiat the church should keep pace a. the increasing population. £20,000 was an enormous sum of money to raise the people had the interests of the church at heart. The movement should not be confined to Taranaki alone, for the people of other dioceses would be ready to give assistance. He agreed with the liishop that it was quite immaterial where the diocesan centre would be situated. In conclusion, he said lie had pleasure in seconding the motion, and hoped it would be carried unanimously. Mr T. C. Fookes agreed with the motion, The question of finance rested with the laymen. Taranaki was ohe of the oldest parishes in New Zealand, and a separate diocese would be a fitting memorial to the splendid work and heroic sacrifices of the early days. The cost of forming the diocese was not to be borne by a faithful few; everyone must take a fair share.

Mr. S. Percy-Smith also spoke to the motion, and pointed out that if porticos of the Auckland and Wellington dioceses were taken in, the new bishopric would be entitled to financial assistance from those dioceses.

Mr. ft. Buckeridge said that the present cry on all sides was for efficiency, and the efficiency of the church would be enhanced by the formation of a separate diocese. Under the present conditions, it was physically impossible for all the outlying districts to be visited. In many cases the people of those districts had never seen the bishop. His Lordship: "'Don't they go to church ?"

Mr. Buckeridge: "In many cases there are no churches." Continuing, .the speaker said that £20,000 was not a very large amount for a rich province like Taramiki to raise. The time was opportune, and there should be no difficulty in raiding the funds. No better memorial or thanksgiving for the lasting peace that was to come could be made than an improvement in the organisation of the church. It would be a memorial that would last for all time, not of brick, but of the spirit of men. Bishop Averill said it seemed to him that if the public had been really anxious that the movement should go ahead they would have given a more definite lead. The conference was right to expect assistance from Auckland and Wellington, but extjra taxation would shortly be imposed which would make a serious difference in church finance. The Rev. Howard said that the matter had never been put before the public on a broad basis, and he felt that when it waß .better understood a good response would be met with.

Archdeacon Evans agreed that it wu

! useless to attempt the formation of a separate diocese until definite evidence that the necessary funds could be raised could be laid before the synod. He was afraid that the public was not heartily interested in the question, though it had been brought befora them time and time again. The financial question was a matter for the laity. It was a strange tliigu about Taranaki that the great works of the province had been carried out in days of depression. As an example he instanced the building of the original church which had been carried out when there were not more than 800 people in New Plymouth, and when times were very bad. The period of depression that was said to lie ahead would be an opportune time for the movement, if the past was any guide. However, he did not consider that New Zealand would experience such a period, for the devastated countries would afford a ready market for the country's produce. He could not think of anything that would appeal to the people as a peace memorial more than the proposed bishopric. It was a matter of great pleasure to him that after 21 years of work in Taranaki the foundation stone of the spiritual edifice, the diocese of Taranaki, was being laid.

Archdeacon Reeve heartily supported the movement. He was glad that the question was being considered in a broad manner. He trusted that the organiser who would be appointed would be a man who would be able to devote a groat deal of time to the work. The financial question was not an insurmountable one. There were individual farmers in the province who could well afford to subscribe the whole amount. It 20,000 persons were .to subscribe £1 each the proposal could be carried through at once. The Rev. F. G. Harvie said those of the public who were inclined to be appathetic probably took up such an attitude because the question had not been thoroughly expounded. In answer to a question, 'the bishop said that in cases where it was deemed advisable boundaries as now proposed could later be amended by the general synod. After further discussion, the resolution was unanimously adopted. Mr. C. H. Grant-Cowan moved that the vicars of parishes and three lay representatives to be elected at a parish meeting in each district should constitute a general committee (with power to add to their number), for the furthering of the scheme. The motion was adopted after discussion.

A temporary executive committee, consisting of the Revs. F. G. Harvie, C. H. Grant-Cowan, Messrs G. Hutton (Inglewood), T. C. Fookes (Stratford) and G. H. Buckeridge (Eltham), was appointed to carry on the work until the general committee should elect its executive. Mr. T. C. Fookes said that he considered the question of an organising secretary should be left in the hands of the bishops of New Zealand. The question of organisation was the crux of the whole affair. He was of the opinion that the work should be done by a member of the clergy. Bishop Averill said that there were legitimate differences of opinion as to whether the organiser should be a clergyman or a layman. There was a general shortage in the ranks of the clergy, but the bishops of New Zealand were not in a position to say what layman should be appointed. He "himself favored the-ap-pointment of a layman.

The name of the Rev. Grant-Cowan was suggested as organiser, but he felt that owing to the demands of his parish, he could not ask the Bishop of Wellington for the necessary leave of absence to take up the work. A second suggestion that Mr. G. H, Buckeridge should be appointed met with general approval. Responding, Mr, Buckeridge said that he would, circumstances permitting, be glad to carry out the work, providing that the Rev. GrantCowan could work in conjunction with him.

The Rev. Grant-Cowan said that lie considered that the work could best be done by one man who could devote the whole of his time to it.

The Rev. C. Addenbrooke proposed that the new area should be divided into three or four parts in order to expedite the work of organisation. The Rev. Grant-Cowan suggested that a returned chaplain might be given the post.

The bishop said that as the movement was in the nature of a peace memorial, the idea was a good one, but the difficulty was to find a suitable man. A stranger to the district could not carry out the work aS well as one conversant with the province. He was certainly of the opinion that the work could best be carried out by one man. The general committee in each district could work up interest in their own localities in order that the final organisation by the diocesan secretary would be made less difficult.

The Rev. Grant-Cowan suggested that Mr. Buekeridge be asked to consider the question of undertaking the work alone, and to give his decision at the next meeting of the general committee. This Mr. Buekeridge agreed to. Reference was made to the question of remuneration, and it was generally recognised that as the work would be strenuous and expenses fairly heavy, a generous allowance should be made. Mr. S. I'ercy-Smith suggested that the temporary committee should appoint a temporary organising secretary or secretaries for the time being. He would undertake the secretarial work of the general committee. His Lordship said that the last proposal appeared to be the most practicable for the present. He thanked Mr. Smith for the suggestion, and for his offer.to carry out the clerical work of the general committee.

Messrs S. Percy-Smith, T. C. Fookes, W. A. Parkinson and A. C. Pease were appointed trustees of the fund. The Rev. Kempthorne asked whether the new diocese was to start in a moderate manner and grow as time passed, or whether the idea was to commence at once on a big scale. In certain bishoprics in New Zealand needless expense had been incurred in adhering to traditions. He was of the opinion that a moderate start should be made, and moved that £14,000 should be aimed at, with a sufficient amount, say £OOOO, for the purchase of a residence. Archdeacon Evans moved an amendment that the aim should be at least £20,000. The Rev. Grant-Cowan pointed out the bishop's expenses would be very heavy, and in order to provide for all calls' above the mere stipend, such as travelling and office expenses, a still larger sum would be required. He moved that not less than £25,000 should be aimed at. The motion was seconded by Mr. W. Graham-

His Lordship said that a large sum should be aimed at. If £20,000 were asked for perhaps not more than £14,000 or £15,000 would be realised. A bishop had very heavy expenses, and it would be a grievous mistake to allow for a small stipend only.

The Rev. Grant-Cowan's amendment to raise £25,000 was carried. It was decided that the first meeting of the general .committee should be held at Hawera on December 11, in order that parish meetings may be arranged and a definite idea of public opinion formed.

The Rev. F. G. Harvie stated that condensed typewritten reports of the proceedings of the conference would be forwarded to «aeh parochial district

The question of appointing lay representatives from districts where there were no resident clergy was left in the hands of Archdeacon iivans. Archdeacon Evans said he would like to obtain the signatures of those present as a record of a historic day in the life of the church.

On .behalf of the visiting Wellington clergy and laymen, Archdeacon Reeve thanked the clergy of Taranaki for their hospitality. The Rev. F. G. Harvie proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Bishop Averill for presiding, and this was enthusiastically carried.

His Lordship said that he was glad to have had the opportunity to preside and to meet the clergy of Taranaki and of Wellington. He was sorry that the Bishop of Wellington was unable to be present, but he was sure that when he heard what had been decided at the conference, he would give his hearty cooperation. The signatures of those present would in years to come be ft pleasant record of a historic day. In conclusion, he stressed the important fact that the success or failure of the whole proposal would depend wholly on whether the movement was pushed, ahead at once or allowed to drag on. If the work was attacked without delay, with heart'and soul, it would be as good as accomplished.

A vote of thanks was accorded the Rev. E. L. Harvie for his duties as conference secretray, and to the press, with special reference to the Daily News for helpful articles.