8. Mr Alan Hohne asked -

In the light of his expressed concern that this Diocese and the members of its congregations play their part in the wider world, how does the Archbishop explain his exclusion of any voluntary society involved in foreign mission from the Missionary Hour of this Synod?

To which the President replied -

This is not a question which can be asked under Standing Order 27 as it seeks a personal opinion from me.

The Committee established to advise the Archbishop as to the form of future Synod meetings recommended that the Missionary Hour be reduced to 30 minutes in order that additional time be made available for the business of the Synod, and the Standing Committee recommended that the Missionary Hour be discontinued (see page 63 of the "salmon book").

The major missionary societies have been rotated through this time slot during the last few years. I decided that the Missionary "Hour" would be reduced to 30 minutes. Bush Church Aid Society has been a regular part of the Missionary Hour and because more people will be visiting Sydney than ever before in 2000 AD I have included the Olympic Games Task Force in this year's presentation.