C.E.M.S.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16220, 24 May 1918, Page 7

C.E.M.S.

DOMINION CONFERENCE.

Tho Dominion Conference of th«» Church of 3'Tngland Men's Society was resumed yesterday. At tho morning session tho llev. F. N. Taylor presided. A paper was read by Mr H. I'. Harvey (Duncdin) on tho duty ol branches to study social, economic, and political questions. Tho following remit, arising out of the paper, was agreed to:—''That, in view of the grave social, economic, and political questions which are being forced upon the Empire at tho present time', this Conference suggests that tho local branches of tho C.E.M.S. should be encouraged to study and discuss these questions ab their meetings in the light of the Christian ideal, with a view to forming an enlightened public opinion in our democratic community, but without passing motions involving the Sociotv, as a society, in political matters." * Mr N. Heath (Auckland) road a paper on "A Five Days' Working Week.' The writer urged that the hours of work on ordinary days should be slightly increased with the view of making Saturday a full holiday. Tho paper was discussed at some length, but no motion was moved in connexion with it. At the afternoon session his Lordship Bishop Julius prosided. Dr. Upham (Lyttelton) gave an interesting address o n "Problems of the War from a Medical and Religious Standpoint. ' Referring to race suicide, Dr. Upham expressed the opinion that Germany s proposals to increase her popu- , lation by polygamy, enforced marriages, and the penalisation of barren marriages, would prove of no avail, because they violated both moral and. natural laws. Speaking of venereal disease and sexual vice, he quoted Dr. Turner to the effect that the material moans of checking venereal disease wore ineffectual, whilst moral means proved effectual. I>r. Upham adversely commented on the proposals of Miss Rout in connexion with l\eu* Zealand soldiers in, London. Owing to the danger of planting an appetite for alooholic liquor, the Government, in supplying a rum ration, was acting the part of a_ bad physician. In the course of a discussion which followed, the Rev. H. G. Blackburne referred to the excellent work being done I? Captain Pettit by his lectures on the subject of venereal disease. 9* Powell, chaplain to the Forces, who wont with the 18th Reinforcements and leaves again with tho 36th Reinforcements, also spoke in disapproval of Miss Rout's proposal. A vote of thanks was acoorded Dr. Upham. Mr J. C. Adams gave an earnest address on "Service," which, was discussed at some length, and for which Mr Adams was accorded a vo#o of thanks. At the evening session, Mr J. C. Adams presiding, an address was given by the llev. H. G. Blackburne, of Palmerston North, on *the "Causes of tho failure or success of tho C.E.M.5.," and by Canon P. T. Williams on "Church work in the Army." Both addresses were listened to with the greatest interest, and hearty voles of thanks were passed to tho speakers. It was resolved to send a message of ' God-speed and encouragement to the C.E.M.S. mcmbei-s at the front, and of sympathy to tho relatives of those who havo fallen.