WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 52, 2 March 1901, Page 3

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Mil CAUGHEY ON FINANCE.

'By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Friday

There was an important discussion in the Weslevan Conference this

afternoon on a synod recommendation from the Auckland district, to the effect that with a view to more economical and efficient working of the Church Building and Loan i'und, the Conference be respectfully asked to appoint a committee, consisting of one minister and one layman from each district, to consider nnd report at an early session on a re-arrange-ment of the administration of the fund on the following lines: Committee of the fund to consist of four ministers and four laymen in each district, to be appointed annually by the Conference upon the nomination of the District Synod's Committee, to receive applications for loans, and to determine amounts of loans and times of payment; to approve of plans and specifications of proposed erections,' enlargements, etc; to approve sales of Wesleyan trust properties, and ad-

i'ise trustees in difficult cases within the boundaries of their own districts; to transact business entrusted to them by the Conference; and that the money now contributed and administered by the Church Building and Loan Fund Committee be equally distributed among- the different proposed new committees on a membership basis, and administered by the said committees in the interests of the Church within the bounds of their respective districts.

After some discussion on this recommendation the previous question was moved and negatived. Mr Caughey, lay member, Auckland, in moving that a select committee be appointed to consider and report, said many members of the Church believed that the principle of local self government ought to be extended in connection with the Wesleyan Church, by which its work would be -more speedily and economically carried out. Every sane person who gave the subject any thought would agree that a committee resident in Christenitreh could not do all that was required from them in Auckland. In selecting

sites for buildings local knowledge was necessary. Had the Auckland people paid more respect to the action of the Christehureh committee the work in connection with the college might have been delayed for years, or indefinitely. Under the present system of administering the building fund there was too much circumlocution. lie believed the fund would be more efficiently controlled and administered by local committees. Many people believed Hie central committee exercised too much power. However much it was to be deplored, they could not ignore the provincial jealousies of the past.

Mr J. J. Smith denied that any je ousy existed.

Mr Caughey, resuming - , said the present system of administration led to unnecessary charges being made uptM die fund. Loans could have been got from the Auckland Savings Hank at. ',) per cent, per annum, and many charges would have been saved. Unfortunately even after existing loans had been wiped out, charges would continue. The indebtedness of the Auckland district to the Buildinc Loan Fund was £1477, which could have been borrowed from the Auckland Savings Bank on the same terms for qua rterly repayment, for a sum averaging £44 6/0 per annum for seven years. As against this the Auckland district pays £110 9/10 per annum, being a loss of £GG 2/ odd. It thus costs the district two and a-half times as much as it would have cost if it had borrowed from the Auckland Savings Bank. His conclusion was that the supposed benefit."--derived by Auckland from the loan .und v,ere merely sentimental. If the brethren looked well into the matter they would agree with him that the fund would be better administered by ordinary individuals. The cost of administering the fund was at present within a trifle of £.">OO per annum. If that sum were suitably invested it would increase in ten years to a sum nearly as large as the present loan, or if utilised to pay trus* debts it would cover nearly all the cost of the interest chargeable upon those debts, amounting to £40,000, wliich be, hoped to see reduced to £17,000 by the funds now being raised, such as the Commemoration Fund, f'-om. which lie anticipated £24-10. The total mortgage debt was £.1000, which could be borrowed from the Auckland Savings Bank at £92 per annum, on the same terms as the loan obtained from the Loan Fund. This would save the Auckland district from all moneys paid away, leaving a balance to the good. Mr Caughey concluded his remarks amidst hearty ap])]ause.

The Rev. Dixon seconded the motion.

The Rev. C. Abernethy (Feilding) opposed the motion.

The Rev. I'arsonson (Napier) moved that the question be now -put, in order to prevent a double discussion on the question in committee and in open conference. Carried by 82 to 20.

Mr Can obeys' motion was carried by 79 to 25.

On the motion of Dr. Morley, who naid a high compliment to Mr Cans-bey. bnl accused him of national impulsiveness, it was made an instruction to the committee to inquire into and report on the possibility of devising- a system of administering the Building and Loan Fund superior to that now existing in Christcbureb. The Auckland members of the Special Comnvitte are the Rev. Dewsbury and Messrs T. Allen and The committee are to report on Monday afternoon.

The following were nominated for election as laymen in stationing committees in Auckland:—Messrs T. Allen, J. C. Allen, .7. Edson, A. C. Boys, E. N. Miller, and J. W. Shackleford.

The Rev. Harding, recently from the Home Conference, delivered an eloquent address, containing reminiscences of past events in the history of the Church, extending back to 1859.

The Special Committee was set up to consider the question of appointing a probationer for Maori work, as recommended by Auckland.

Messrs J. W. Burton and W. S. Bowie, formerly of the Thames, having completed their probation, are to. be ordained next week.

Committees were appointed to consider various Synod recommendations as to appointment of additional preachers, new stations, appointment of married ministers, foreign missions, new pronosals. etc., including a recommendation from the Mahu-

rangi circuit for an increase of £40, and alterations in boundaries, establishment of home missions at Waltekauri, Hikuraugi, and Tauranga, and an additional preacher for the Upper Thames circuit.