The Archbishop of Canterbury on.uesday moved the second reading of
the so.ealled Enabling ,Bill in the House of Lords. The National Assembly of the Church of England (Powers) Bill would, he said, " enable the Church to do its work properly." The old Acts relating to Ecclesiastical Courts, patronage, disci- pline, dilapidation, Colonial clergy, and so on, urgently required amendment, but Parliament could not give time to such matters. The proposed Church Assembly, Lord Parmoor explained, would, like a Department, issue Provisional Orders subject to the approval of Parliament. Lord Haldrum moved an amendment protesting that, without inquiry, " the greater part of the people of England "would be excluded from-" effective influence in the affairs of the National Church." He expreesed a strong dislike to conferring wide powers on a Church Assembly and an irni- sponsible Privy Council Committee, saChe declared- that the
Bill would transform the National Church into a denomination. It seems to us impossible that the Bill can become law. But if so, what will the reformers do then Y They are earnest men. Will there be a secession ? Perhaps; but we think it will be a small one.
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