Opposition by Sir Wi iam Joynson-Hicks: Mr. Churchill and the Premier in Favour of the Measure London, June 14.
The House of Commons to-day by 266 votes to 220 rejected the New Prayer Book measure.
The debate in the House of Commons on the new Prayer Book was resumed to-day. The Public Gallery was again full. 'The Archbishop of Canterbury and other spiritual peers were present in the Peers' Gallery.
Sir William Joynson-Hicks, the Home Secretary, leading the opposi-to the Book, declared that rullions of people in England wer convinced that. there was a definite change of doctrine in it. He emphasized the right of the laity and Of the House of Commons to express their views in that connection, and referred to a recent statement of the Bishop of Lincolnshire that even if the House rejected the Book that would not prevent its use. He declared that that statement was challenge to the House, Sir William attributed the changes in the Book to the influence of Anglo-Catholics. He described them as sliding back to the pre-Reformation priesthood, clared that if the reservation were authorized they could not prevent adoration. He mentioned that the reservation was now practised in nearly 700 churches as compared with 30 churches 30 years ago.
Mr. Winston Churchill, the cellor of the Exchequer, who did for vote on the last occasion, supported the measure, not, he said, a churchman, but solely as a member of the House, asked to give the religious community a wider interpretation of their spiritual freedom, He was, he declared, very sceptical "of Parliament's compet: ence to form a final decision spiritual matters, A lay assembly could not in the twentieth century determine the spiritual observances of any religious community. Liz foresaw disestablishment if the Book were rejected: rejection of the measure would period of chaos.
Thomas Inskip, the Attorney-General, opposing the measure, said he, with Sir William Joynsonleks, had informed the Archbishop of Canterbury that they would accept the Book if the provision of perpetual reservation were delete: Dut the offer had been declined. hoped it would be possible to recreate the Church of England, but the Church of England must be the church of the people of England (loud cheers), Mr. Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, who supported the mes sure, said that an adverse vote would weaken all Church authorities and Linder the progress religion in the country.
'A large crowd cheered the ~ote ide Parliament.
The majority in favour of reject tion on the last occasion, December 16, was 33. This time it ts 46, June 15.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and of York have issued an appeal against any rash and irregular action by disappointed supporters of the Prayer Book, pleading quictness, patience and abstention from unkindly word, and the Bishops are fully alive to their responsibility ant will without delay give such counsel and direction as are required.
The majority of 46 votes against the Prayer Book measure shows an Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.