METHODIST CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 51, 23 November 1917, Page 7

METHODIST CHURCH

WELLINGTON DISTRICT SYNOD

CLOSING SESSION By Tclesraph-PrcßS Association. Levin, Novomher 22. The Wellington District Methodist Synod continued its sessions to-day in tlio Century Hall, Loviu, tho Rev. E. Drako, district clinirmnn, presiding. Mr. T. Fathers was appointed in the place of Mr. E. Dawson to bo district secretary of Church, properties, and Mr. Molliuish in the place of Mr. Truman on tho Home Mission Advisory Committee. The following wore appointed a. District Advisory Committee to assist the Church Building and Loan Fund Committee, which latter has its headquarters in Christcliureh:—Revs. E. Drake, D. J. Murray, J. G. Chapman, and Messrs. F. Fathers, E. Dawson, and W. 11. Bennett. It was decided to endorse the proposal of tho Foreign Missions Committee that the allocation of a separate foreigu mission field to New Zealand be postponed until after the war> also that tho appointment of the Rov. W. A. Sinclair as foreign mission secretary be postponed till 1920. It 'was decided on the recommendation of a special committee of Synod appointed the previous day thai £8000 be the amount of foreign mission money New Zealand sliould aim at for 1918, and that of this amount £1500 bo a working capital fund. Tho report of the Deaconesses's Committeo was considered by the Synod, and the proposal to abolish or make optional tho £20 contribution, paid by young women students towards the cost of their training as deaconesses, was heartily approved by the Synod. „ Tho "Rev. J. Rands proposed and the Rov. C. B. Jordan seconded that tho conference be asked to seriously consider the establishment of ono or more Methodist colleges in the Dominion for the promotion of Christian secondary education. The R«v. _G. Knmvles Smith opposed ttfo motion, but it was carried after discussion. In the discussion of the report of the Literature Committee it was decided to recommend the printing and circulation of suitable literature for tho education of young people in tho principles of Methodism. Tho Rev. H. White brought under tho Synod's notico the need for the erection of a church at Paekakanki Tlio Rov. G. Knowles Smith moved that tho matter bo referred to the Home Mission Committee, and this was carried. Tho Otaki circuit was also given permission to court the aid of other circuits in tho district on this matter. The, Rev. AY.'H. E. Abbey was elected district representative to the Stationing Committee of conference, and the Rev. A. M'Bean substitute.

Tho following wore the amounts reported as having been contributed to the foreign mission fund by the various circuits in tho district:—Taranaki Street. £3-14; Central Mission, £12; Thorndon. £53; Wellington South, £120; Johnsonville, £36: Hutt, £49; Potonc, £37; South Wairarapn, £19; Carterton, £33; Mnsterton, £103; Eketaluma, £30: Levin, £73; ptaki, £53. Tho following were tho liomo mission amounts recommended to be granted to tho aided circuits of tho district next year:—Johnsonville, £40; Soutli Wairnrapa, £50; Eketahuna, £40; Otaki, £60. It was recommended, nlso, that tho special grnnt of £ for £ be continued to the Otnki circuit for the increase of its minister's stipend.

By tho district secretary of tho Social' Service Union a motion was brought forward, urging tho Government to take further action with regard to tho bousing problem, and tho cost-of-living question, special mention being made of the meat and shipping trusts. Thero was not time, however, for tho Synod members to make an adequate study of such weighty matters, and the motions were not carried.

Tho Synod closed with tho customary votes of thanks to tho hosts and hostesses, Hie Synod officers, nad tho Press.