TARANAKI BISHOPRIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1921, Page 5

TARANAKI BISHOPRIC.

THE PROPOSAL DISCUSSED. OPINION OF CLERGY AND LAITY, QUESTION OF FINANCE. / The question of the formation of an. Anglica,n bishopric for Taranaki was one of the first items on the agenda of the Taranaki Archdeaconry Board Conference, which opened at New Plymouth, last night. The Bishop of the Diocese, the Right Rev. Dr. A. W. Averill, presided. The matter was introduced by the Rev. F. G. Harvie, vicar of St. Mary’s, New Plymouth, who said he felt the subject had been long enough before them, and that it had not made very definite progress. He did think now that it was time the scheme was settled, at least for a few years. Financially the position was that at least £lOOO a year and a house for the Bishop had to be provided. This would not be all, however, as there were incidental expenses. They could count on a capital sum of £30,000 being needed before they could approach the Synoa. Towards this sum they had an amount given by Archdeacon Coe, whicn now amounted to about £550. In addition there was the Taranaki Bishopric Fund started four years ago, but so far only another £550 had been accumulated. A third fund had been instituted as the result of a conference between Archdeacon MacMurrayX and New Plymouth business men last year, and the amount collected by the sub-committee appointed on that occasion was approximately £2OO. Lastly, there was a bequest ol £3OO made by the late Mr. W. A. Parkinson, of Hawera.. The total was just about £2OOO. PLEA FOR THE SCHEME. Spiritually, it was difficult to saj how much demand there was for the bishopric scheme In Taranaki. It hac been stated that the scheme was dead, but he contended it had never been given a chance. It was a matter which would have to be taken up by the laymen, as well as the clergy, if it was to be furthered. Efforts had been made to get an organising secretary for this work, but without success. In regard to future work he thought the first step would be to consolidate the funds. They were hampered to some extent by the fact that so far they had not received any help from the Wellington diocese. They could go ahead in their own archdeaconry, but whether this was a wise policy would have to be decided. Personally, he had. felt the need of the institution of the bishopric so much that he was reluctant to give encouragement to any idea that rt should be dropped. ) , For future organisation, Mr. Harvie remarked that the services of a New Plymouth gentleman were available as secretary. He also referred to the fact that a commission had been appointed by the Synod to discuss the question as to how much the and Wellington dioceses should contribute, but had never met. It was time tne people of the archdeaconry enquired why this was so. He believed that the rules of the Synod in regard to creating new dioceses were altogether wrong. xne Dominion had a population of over a million people, and was not half settled, and if the church was to keep abreast of the growth and settlement it should have a definite pdlicy in regard to new dioceses. The trouble was that it did not have one. The statue of the Synod put the whole burden or the people of the diocese. He relt indignant that they had a General Synod in New Zealand, and that it was practically powerless to do anything, and he illustrated his point by remarking that though there was a definite policy in regard to the establishment of parochial districts, and the committee of the Synod sent out men to new districts and undertook the responsibility of their stipend, the line of action in regard to bishoprics was exactly the opposite. Mr. Harvie concluded by reading a resolution passed by the Taranaki clergy expressing the opinion that the funds so far collected in connection with the bishopric and any future moneys should be consolidated. This then became the motion before the meeting.

OTHER VIEWS. In response to an invitation from the chairman for an expression of opinion from the laymen, Mr. W. W. Ackland (Lepperton) said they looked to the clergy for a lead. He asked if It was a fact that the clergy were not enthusiastic about the matter. The Rev. C. W. Howard (Stratford) replied that the clergy were intensely enthusiastic, but it was not possible to carry on the scheme in the manner which had been attempted in the last two years. Although they thought it should be dropped, it was only for the reason that this would be preferred to letting the scheme be dragging on without any conclusion being reached. The Rev. G. H. Gavin (Waitara) said that while admiring Mr. Harvie for his persistency in pushing the bishopric scheme, he thought it was altogether a mistake at the present time. He did not think that the bishopric could possibly be formed with eighteen parishes. The scheme had been repeatedly cropping up and obscuring other questions, ■and it was time it was “killed.” He did not believe the bishopric was needed at the present time, nor could they -finance it. Mr. Ackland said he thought it would be a pity to drop the proposal altogether, and he asked if something could not be done in a small way with a view to the future. Mr. 'S. W. Shaw (New Plymouth) added his tribute to Mr. Harvie’s enthusiasm. He said if the laity displayed the same spirit the bishopric would soon be an accomplished fact. He thought the laity did not realise the need for a bishopric, and perhaps this was because of the attention to the archdeaconry which was given ,by their present Bishop. They appreciated this .too. With regard to the bishopric, he remarked it had been said that the time was not ripe, but he it was overripe, and the matter should have been taken up before. At present, however, •the conditions financially were not favorable, and lie did not think there was the slightest chance of continuing the campaign for funds. He was inclined, therefore, to agree that the funds should be closed down for the present time, though he was reluctant to advocate this step. Mr. J. M. Butt (Uruti) .remarked there was another feature, namely that the people of the proposed district did not seem to be unanimous on the question. The discussion will be continued when the couference resumes to-day.