METHODISM.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17393, 2 March 1922, Page 9

METHODISM.

CENTENARY FESTIVAL (PBBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, March 1. The Town Hall vras crowded last evening for the centenary festival o the Methodist Conference. The chair was occupied by the Rev. C. H. Laws. The Governor-General was to have presided, but important business him from attending. He telegraph his cordial good wishes. Tha Revs. G. Hargreaves A.' McCallum (Australia), and Bishop Locke (America), in eloquent speech conveyed the goodwill and congratuiations of their several churches. The conference met at luncheon in the Town Hall to-day, about 2/0 members being present. The Hon. 0. Parr presided in the absence or iir Massey, whose apologi©4 and cordta greetings he tendered. Replying, to the toast of ' The minion," Mr Parr emphasised the debt owing to the early missionaries. «•© noted with interest the efforts being made by the Church to secure Biblereading in 'schools. He predicted that their efforts would not be very successful unless the various churches joined forces and spoke with one voice. The future of New Zealand would be greatly helped by the work of the Education Department. About 72 per cent, of the children passing through the primary schools went on to the secondary schools. The medical and dental services to the schools under the Child Welfare Department were certain to be of great value in the future. . The conference agreed to the following motion:—"That the conference w so impressed with the magnitude and rapid growth of gambling that every 'Methodist Church should be urged w> offer concerted and determined opposition to legislation in the interests of racing clubs." ~ The conference further recorded its conviction "that the present antigambling laws are imperfectly administered and desires to call the attention of the Government to this conviction."

The' Removal Expenses Committee recommended, and it was adopted, tha.t the cost of removal be borne by the whole Church, which would divide the cost over a number of years, a separate .fund to be established by means of a levy of on 6 per cent, upon the iimount paid in ministerial stipends by circuits.

The Fire Insurance Fund Committee's report was adopted. The trnasvujßr waa authorised to pay to the, Centenary Fund £3OO, to the benevolent branch of the Supernumery Fund £IOO, and to the Deaconesses House Committee £IOO, the balance to be added to the accumulated funds. The Rev. S. Lawiy was reappointed general secretary for a period of two yeara. This evening a memorial service for ministers who died during the year was held, tho Rev. J. J. Lewis delivering the address. It Tvas resolved, in view of the license ing poll next December,. to call the attention of ministers, circuit official?, arid members of Methodist Churches arid congregations to the importance "of using all means in their power to secure a great arid notable victory for prohibition. The collection at the public centenary gathering totalled £IOO.