METHODIST UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 64, 17 March 1902, Page 3

METHODIST UNION.

The voting- in the official co i;; Primitive Methodism from ■ I '(■'"

in the South Island to Aut

the North Island is now eoi:

The matter of union was dis^ usued at) 'the Primitive Methodist Conference at Wellington in January last, when after four days' discussion the following resolution was carried: — "That this conference heartily reciprocates the kindly spirit of the Wesieyan Methodist Conference of New Zealand in again inviting us to consider the question of union. We do not see our way to accept the present basis, as no concessions are offered, and the distinctive principles of our church are sacrificed; but we re-affirm our willing-ness to consider union with a view to the formation, of a Methodist Church for New Zealand in the direction of the basis drawn up by the Joint Committee of the four Methodist Churches in the colony in 1884, and- that inasmuch as the question has not been formally before t'be notice of our officials, we submit the question and our finding's thereon to the next March quarterly meetings for their approval or otherwise." Forty-five voted for the motion, and ,22 against it.

The following questions have been submitted to the March quarterly meeting's, in accordance with the above instructions: (a) "Are you In favour of union on a basis in the direction of the 1884 basis? ,(b) Are you in favour of union on the basis.' now offered to us by the New Zealand Conference of the Australasian. Methodist Church?" EXPLANATION. ■'' The basis of 1884 was for a Methodist Church for New Zealand only. It • provided that ministers and laymen have an equal vote on all questions, except that of minis ferial characters. The present basis provides that ministers only shall dispose of all matters comprised under some fourteen heads, and in addition' to these shall also nominate the stewards, elect chairman of districts, and determine all appeals affecting the status of ministers and members. ■ RESULT. In all 24 stations have voted, their voting being as follows:—For the ISB4 basis, 188; against tiie 1884 basis, 101; for the present basis as offered, 63; against the present basis as offered, 244; majority in favour of th.B 1884 basis, S7; majority against tha present basis, 181.

As the Australasian Methodist Church will not concede the 1884 basis, and as the Primitive Methodist Church in New Zealand will Dot sacrifice their -principles, and have by this very decisive vote refused *o accept the present basis, the question will now, we presume, be hung up indefinitely. ,