SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 89, 16 April 1927, Page 7

SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

INTERESTING ADDRESSES DELIVERED. AT CHT.'RCH OF CHRIST ( ONFERENCK. The tenth annual conference of the Associated Churches of Christ wn> opened in the Ponsouby Road (lunch of ( lirist on Thursday ni;;lit, n larpe number of detegaten ami lcprc-clit at i\ es being present. Mr. W. I{. Tuck gave an interesting account of tin- temperance nio\eincnt. It had reached tiie sta-c when the ment had reached the stage, when the sentiment thev had created, and that which was being created, demanded the sending of men to Parliament who would interpret that sentiment in tin' laws „f the land. Speaking of the ta-k before the movement, Mr. Tuck said they had a tremendous ta-k to make men realise H„.j r duty j n rc-pect to strong drink. Bible in Schools. 'I he (|iie.-tion of Bible ill -< hools formed the subject of an a.hire-- by Mr. F. .1. Marshall, of Wanganni." who directed attention to the fact that the years of childhood were of the utmost importance to eharactcr building. Thev were all justly proud of the State system of ('duration, but it was their duty to defend it at all points and seek to repair the flaws in it. He thought there was one serious defect in the system, and that was that no official recognition w* given to Almighty God. There was a large body of opinion who were united in their desire to see tliis defect removed. Touching on the matter of the Religious F.xcrcise in Schools Rill, 1„. said that some thought the teaching proposed was to,, fragmentary to lie of any permanent value, but, as Scripture reading in the home bad been productive of good. so. it was believed, it would be found •«> be the instrument of lasting good if applied to the schools. He contended that there was no foundation for the contention that tlie bill, if it were passed into law. would threaten the life and efficiency of the State system of education. On the other hniid it would tend to stabilise it, |, v making the great majority of people content with the system, instead of making them seek grants for denominational schools.

The evil* of gambling were .lenlt with in on interesting pancr bv Mr. Howard ! Kail, of Christehnrch. after which Mr. H. Crinstcnd, convener of the social problems committee. thanked the sneakers for their valuable contributions. He hoped Hint the matters rlenlt with would be unanimously affirmed at a later stace in the conference. Yesterday's Session. The Hood Friday session was opened with n devotional service led by Mr. 11, P. Long. The attendance was ngain Inro-e, and representative of nil parts of the Dominion. Mr. F. C. Ward was nppointed secretary, while tb« deleurates were acenrde.l a welcome bv the president, Mr. F. Pride. The IToine Mission rei>ori tinted that dnrinar the year 213 bad been added to the membership of the Church. It was hoped that the fields now tinder the jurisdiction of the committee would soon be self-supporting, tbu« cnnblinc the committee to <ro forvenrd with the work of evangelisation. The treasurer's report disclosed a credit. The report was adopted. The Foreign Mi—ion report disclosed Oiat flic yen.r bad been one of sperinl blessin-T. ,\t the fifteen stations there had been 172 bantisms, and these hmf fonfessod their faith in the world's Saviour. The New College. The chairman of the College Board said that the new movement was being accorded general apnrovnl. mid now tbnt they bad secured the services of Mr. A. L. Haddon. M.A.. their principal. thev could look forward to the future with confidence. Spcakintr of the location of the eolleee. be «ni<l it was particularly well fitted for tlie proposed work. They were out to train a bodv of men who would preach the Gospel. The evening rally was al-<o largely attended. E'ection of Officets. The election of officer* resulted: — President. Mr. W. D. M. f!lais»»r (Auckland!: executive chairman. Mr. \V. .T. Mason: secretary, Mr. \V. C. Carrtenter: treasurer. Mr. T. and Messrs. 0. Day, A. Eaton. W. Lndbrook. A. V. Williams, ami R. \Yitl*]i (Wellington): divisional representatives. Auckland. Mr. A. A. Creamer: Mannwatu. Mr. H. Orinstcad: Centcihurv. to 1 )P appointed; Nelson. Mr. F. Y. Knaim; and Ota<*o and Southland. Mr. W. D. Mote