HOME AND FOREIGN MISSION WORK.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14909, 6 March 1914, Page 8

HOME AND FOREIGN MISSION WORK.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, March 5. At the Methodist Conference this afternoon, the consideration of Home Mission matters was resumed. It 'was resolved that the treasurers o*" the fund be ex-officio members of the Conference. Maori agents were to be urged to secure more adequate support of the "work by the Native people. The -Conference' deprecated the establishment of a separate fund for Maori work. Thanks were tendered to the R*f! T. G. Brooke, organising secretary of the Home Missions, and to Mr J. \ r eale, treasurer, and both were unanimously re-appointed. A life honorarium of £50 per annum was granted to the Rev. AY. Gittos, late Superintendent of tho Maori Missions. The continuance and development of the Ma&ri Deaconesses' Home at Okaiawa was preferred to the Executive Committee*' A special committee was appointed to supervise the work of the West Coast Maori Missions. A policy of extension in regard to the Native work in AVaikato was cordially approved. It was resolved to appoint a probationer to Taumarnnui, with a grant of £100, a saddle-bag ipissionary for Tarankai if a suitable agent be available, and a home missionary at Uriti. An appeal was made to the circuits to increase their income, to enable the committee to prosecute a more vigorous policy of extension. It was resolved to issue an annual Home Mission leaflet for general distribution. The Rev. T. G. Hammond was appointed a deputation for the AVellington district for 1914, and the Rev. N. H. Papakakura a deputation for South Canterbury, if iavailable. The matter of equipping a Gospel van was referred to the Executive for favourable consideration. A committee was appointed to consider the establishment of a Home Missionaries' Provident Fund.

The Conference agreed to forego a grant of £100 from tl*e Foreign Mission Board in Sydney, duo on account of the transfer of the Rev. W. W. Avery to New Zealand. This action, however, was not to be regarded as a precedent. A special committee was set. up in regard to the Probert Trust and Alexandra street trustees to effect an adjustment of matters in which these two bodies are concerned. The "Book of Laws" Revision Committee presented its report. Certain amendments suggested were agreed to, and. a number of verbal alterations were approved. The "Book of Laws," as altered and amended, was approved. A resolution was passed accepting the "Book of Laws" as legally adopted by tho Conference. A committee was set up to publish the "Book of Laws," and to incorporate any-amendments adopted by tho Conference. "The Foreign Mission report was adopted. It was resolved that no organising secretary for the Dominion bo appointed pending a decision as to New Zealand's special sphere of Foreign Mission activity. Organising secretaries were, however, _ appointed for each of the ten districts of the " Dominion. Resolutions were adopted with a view to ensuring increased interest in Foreign Missions. A resolution was approved relating to the union of the Methodist Churches of. T§n«a, and the union of those Churches with the New Zealand Methodist Church. The Rev. J N. Buttle, secretary for Foreign Missions, was cordially thanked for his work during his eleven years of service. Many members bore testimony to the worth of Mr Buttles work, and deep regret was expressed at his retirement owing to failing health. The report of the New Zealand members of the Board of Missions was re? ceived. It dealt with the finance and with the staffing administration and organisation in the South Sea mission field, as well as in India. It also offered three alternative suggestions of a sepa-

rate field for Foreign Mission work. The proposals were:—(l) Fiji, including Indian work; (2) Indian work in Fiji; (3) Solomons, Tonga, and Samoa. The matter will be considered by a special committee during the year, and a report will be presented to the Conference of 1915. The third suggestion will probably be adopted ultimately, (a) because it is within the financial compass of the Church, (b) because the necessary staff would be available, (c) because the virgin character of the 1 work in the Solomons would arouse enthusiasm, and (d) because Tonga and Samoa could be relied upon as old fields to assist in providing both men and money for newer areas. Representatives to attend the next meeting of the Board were appointed.