METHODIST HOME MISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 51, 29 February 1916, Page 9

METHODIST HOME MISSION.

ORGANISING SECRETARY ' RETAINED. A lengthy discussion took place yesterday afternoon at the session of the New Zealand Methodist Conference regarding the reappointment of the Home Mission organising secretary. Rev. C. H. Laws, in opening the discussion, referred to the progress of the Home Mission during the seven years that had elapsed since the Organising Secretary was first appointed. He said that in 1909 the income was £2221 3/8, which worked out at 2/10 i per member, and 7Jd for adherents, in 1915 the income wae £3888 18/3, or 3/5* per head for members, and llAd for adherents. That showed an increase of £lb'67 in seven years. That worked out at about seventy-five per cent increase in the seven yeare. Finance was, however, only a secondary matter, ,but the status of the home missionaries had steadily improved during the past seven years. In 1909 no married home missionary was getting more than £ 120 per annum. Today there were 25 home missionaries receiving £125 or more, with travelling expenses, and some got up to £150 per annum. Mr Laws said he did not think the latter sum was enough. Another point was that there had been steady development of Home Mission work. The Rev. Brooke, by reason of his great experience, became a most effective deputation to speak on Home Mission work in different circuits. If the organising secretary's office was abolished,,who was to do the work? Rev. A. B. Chappell, MA., moved as an amendment: "That the office of the organising secretary for Home Missions be discontinued for the present." He urged the conference to consider the merits of the case, quite apart from any personal question. Out of ten synods, four were not prepared to say the office ehould continue. Many believed at this juncture that the work of the organising secretary could be left for a year. Mr Chappell if the work amongst the Maoris wae being done as it should he by their own or any other church? He felt that their church had not fulfilled its traditions of the past, in the matter of looking after the Maoris. In conclusion, Mr Chappell claimed that there had not been an adequate return for the cost of the organising secretary. Rev. E. O. Blamircs strongly supported the amendment. Mr .r. Veale, late treasurer of the Home Mission Fund, said the organising secretary had secured many sites for churches given to tho connexion. The organising secretary had got £400 promised for a church at Taumarunui. Tlie motion was adopted by 111 to 47, *ndi tho Rev. T. (i. Brooke was reappointed to the office, to date from 1015.