C.E.M S. CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14327, 12 April 1912, Page 9

C.E.M S. CONFERENCE.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND. April 11. At the C.E.M.S. conference to-day a resolution was also passed deploring tho prevailing indifference of men to public worship, and earnestly calling on tho Church authorities to seek for reasons and remedies. Another resolution passed recommended to the bishops of the province to appoint mission councils for undertaking systematic parochial mission work, especially among the men.

A resolution urging upon members of tho C.E.AIS. to use their influence to do away with the evils of intemperance was unanimously carried. Tho mover (Air Pallot, ot Napier) also embodied a provision urging an amendment of ihe licensing law in the direction of securing the opening of bars only between the hours of 9 a.m. and G p.m., and providing that people therein should bo exposed to public view- The Conference decided to refer tho proposed amendments tor the consideration of all branches for report at the next Conference

The appointment of a Dominion Executive, with the Primate as President, was agreed to without discussion.

The committee appointed' on the previous day to consider the advLsableness of engaging ._ travelling organising secretary, reported that the expense which was estimated at £"300 per annum, would l>o too heavy at present. The suggestion was offered that the various diocesan authorities should he asked to visit the branches, and that a central fund should be established to such expenses as would be entailed.

The report was adopted. It was resolved that next year's conference be held in Dunedin.

A united churchmen's gathering was held this evening in the Town Hall. A procession, headed by 30 bannerbearers, marched to the" Hall, singing hymns. The chair was taken by Bishop Crossley. Bishop Julius also being present.

Bishop Crossley said he would regard that significant gathering of Churchmen as something of a failure if it did not produce some fresh humility, some larger zeal, and greater courage. Bishop Julius said they heard sometimes a great deal about the Church, and sometimes they failed to realise that the Church was not an end, but a means to an end, and the end was the manifestation of the Church's Lord and .Master. That was what churchmen had to aim at.