METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18631, 4 March 1926, Page 14

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

DEPUTATIONS RECEIVED, U'ssss iseocm'ios ssLnaaiir.) DUKEDIX, March 3. In rieir of the meeting of the League of Nations, an early session of the conference was held for the purpose of holding a prayer meeting on behalf of the League and its deliberations. There was a largo attendance at the opening of the ordinary session of the conference. A solemn hush, fell upon the conference, when the president announced that Mr !>• W. Jack, cvf Whangarei, a member of the conference, had suddenly passed away, while visiting the Exhibition. A vote of condolence to the relatives was. proposed by the Bev. E. Drake and spoken to by several representatives and carried in silence.

The conference then proceeded to consider tho obituary notices of those ministers who had died during the year. Tho names considered were the Bevs. W. Lee, D. McNicoll, J. G. Chapman, and John Dawson. After the records had been read, several members paid tribute to tho worth of those who had died. On the conference resuming its ordinary business, it was decided to reappoint tho Rev. C. Eaton as chief immigration officer for the church. In view of the splendid work of Messris Eaton and E. G.. Denton, in connexion with migrants, the conference accorded them a. hearty vote of thanks.

After dealing with immigration matters, the question of Bible-in-Schools was introduced, and the conference went into committee upon the matter, and after resuming in open session a resolution was carried requesting Methodists not to slacken their interest ill tho Bible-in-Schoois movement; A comprehensive resolution on tho question of Sabbath desecration was carried unammouslv. It expressed tho wish that tho Protestant churches should confer to combat the present tendency and bring about a better observance of tho Lord's Day. The conference demanded that the Government should eliminate the middle issue or introduce preferential voting, in connexion with the liquor question, and that a strong deputation be appointed to"-wait upon the Prime Minister. The conference protested against the granting of racing permits and the permission of country meetings being held in adjunct cities. This was regarded as an abuse of existing legislation. At this stage rt deputation was received from tho New Zealand Alliance, with Miss Powell representing the W.C.T.U. Addresses were given by Miss, Powell, Mr C. Tt. Edmond, Mr C. Todd, and the Hon. Jj. M. Isitt, M.L.C., responded on behalf of the conference.

Affcsrnoon Session. At the afternoon session, resolutions were passed against gambling in connexion - with tb© numerous permits issued for art unions by the Minister for Internal Affairs, which was regarded as against the intention and spirit of the legislation, and in the direction of tightening . the censorship of cinema films and picture posters. The report of the Foreign Mission was introduced by the Jtev. W. A. Sinclair, tho general secretary. The financial statement showed that the foreign mission income totalled £3.2,(599 in New Zealand, £l2Ol in the 'Solomons, and £7iso from the centenary fund, making a total income of £17,650, thus constituting a record. The Auckland East circuit raised tho sum of £733.

Mrs W. H. Duke, Mrs A. E. Pacey, Mrs T. K. ITodder, and Mrs West, representing the Methodist Women's Auxiliary, were received by the conference. Mrs Duke stated that the missionary income of the auxiliary totalled £2053. They maintained seven sisters in the foreign missions field and two deaconesses in the home mission field, and were prepared to support a third. Conference expressed its gratitude at tho great success attained by the Women's Auxiliary.

After a description of the work in the Solomon Islands, Mr Sinclair moved that tho estimated income for 1926 be £13,500. The conference unanimously agreed to this amount.

It was decided that the expenditure on the missions field be £14,500, exclusive of amounts voted from the equipment fund for buildings. The musical festival in connexion with the conference was an unqualified success, the Octagon Hall being crowded.: