WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH PROPERTY BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 156, 4 July 1896, Page 5

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH PROPERTY BILL.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PARLIAMENTARY RE

POKTER.)

Wellington, Friday. The Private Bills Committee met to consider the Wesleyan Methodist Church Property Bill. The solicitor for the Bill was Mr C. Buddie, who conducted the case in support of it. He dwelt) in lengthy address setting forth and explaining the principles of the Bill. He referred to the clause which at present is receiving the greatest opposition, viz., thab of the itinerancy or "time limit" period, and argued that it was not intended to do away with ' the itinerancy. He thoughts the clause would be a benefit rather than otherwise. He produced evidence showing that the principles of tho Bill had a majority voting for it, both Wealeyan and the United- Methodist and Bible Christian Churches Referring to tho petition which had been received against the itinerancy clause ef tho Bill Mr Buddie argued thab it would be unjust to the many Wealeyans who supported the Bill, if the clause relating to itinerancy were struck out. The Rev. W. Morley, President of the General Conference, spoke in confirmation of Mr Buddies statement. The question of the Mounb Eden Free Methodist Church was then discussed. Messrs Cole and Williams, from Auckland, members of this Church,gave evidence and contended that the Mount Eden Church was a separate body, and showed that the members had by resolution voted against joining the Wesleyaa Church. They also produced voluminous documentary evidence that Mount Eden Church property was not in the same category aa the property of the other churches of the Union in Auckland and elsewhere. The Premier was prosent, and several ministers and laymen watched the proceedings. The Committee sat threa hours, and finally adjourned till Tuesday.