NELSON.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2521, 3 February 1877, Page 2

NELSON.

Friday.

The General Synod yesterday occupied the whole day in debate on the Formularies Bill, or, in reality, on the whole status and constitution of the Anglican Church in New Zealand. Archdeacons Stack and Williams, the Eevs. T. Fancourt and E. Williams, Messrs Barnicoat, Oliver, and Brown supported the bill. The Revs. B. Dudley, E. A. Linguard, and A. Fenny, Messrs Adams, Lusk, and Quick opposed. The. main arguments in favour of the measures were the Church of New Zealand's autonomy and independence, with the power to make all laws ; and that it is desirable to legislate while men's minds are quiet, to prevent the possibility in future of changes being made without due care. The chief arguments -against the bill are that it is ultra vires, as altering the constitution unnecessarily, as the change is undesirable and inexpedient, and calculated to unsettle people's minds and endanger the tenure of Church property. The debate will ,Jbe resumed at half-past 7 this evening by the Eev Mr Hamer. This day. In the General Synod last night the great constitutional debate on the Formularies Bill concluded after lasting three whole days. Thirty-five_ members spoke .to the question. The Synod divided at midnight, when the votes on the question that leave be given to introduce the Bill were—ayes : bishops, 5; clergy, 7; laity, 5; noes : clergy, 12; laity, 14, The motion was therefore lost.