METHODISM.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 127, 1 June 1910, Page 7

METHODISM.

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE.

SEPARATION MOTION CARRIED. BY A LARGE MAJORITY. i Bj Telegraph.— Press Associatien.— Copyright, ADELAIDE, 31st May. At the Methodist Conference discussion was continued on the motion by the Rev. S. La wry to confer independent and self-governing powers on the New Zealand Church. The Rev. Mr. Rowe (Queensland) said the question of separation was a national rather than an ecclesiastical one. He supported the motion because he believed it was vain to go against the national spirit of any country. The Rev. Mr. Lewis (New Zealand) strongly advocated the separation movement. It was, he said, a democratic one. He did not say that the voice of the democracy was always right, but he believed in this instance the popular voice was the voice of God, because it would make for tho advancement of His Kingdom. The Rev. W. Baumber (New Zealand) said he was sorry to vote against his colleagues, but there was a mirKwaty of. 30 per cent, iv the Dominion against separation. The first objection of tihe minority was that they did not \wish to break off the historic connection. Mr. Stephens (New Zealand) said there were growing up in Australia and New Zealand two different natiooai sentiments, and without decrying the Australian sentiment, it was indifferent to New Zealand interests. The Domini ion, therefore, desired national independence. There might be fears that< with independence New Zealand might introduce radical changes of policy, but such fears were groundless. THE VOTING. I The conference carried the motion, j the voting being as follows :—: — For the motion 106 Against 13 ! Majority 93 MINISTERS' VIEWS. NEW ZEALAND DELEGATES HIGHLY SATISFIED. (Received June 1, 9.45 a.m.) ADELAIDE, This Day. The Rev. C. H. Laws, president of the New Zealand Conference, stales that since boyhood he has been an ardent separationist. New Zcalaad did not take up its attitude in any light-hearted fashion ; it was the settled judgment of New Zealand. The Rev. C. H. Garland, of New Zealand, thought organic union with Australia was the best for New Zealand, but he had finally decided to sink his personal _ views in deference to the unanimous wish of his Church. The Rev. Dr. Morley (formerly of New Zealand) thought the case for the Dominion lacked vital argument. The Rev. W. J. Williams (New Zealand) remarked that Dr. Morley for twenty years, when in New Zealand, advocated separation. It was a painful experience to find one who had instructed and inspired New Zealanders on this question now opposed to them. The Rev. C. H. Laws, in an interview after the vote had been taken, said the Dominion delegates were highly satisfied with the result, and at the impartial hearing given to the speakers. The Tesult would give the liveliest satisfaction to New Zealand Methodists. MISSIONARY WORK. A FORWARD MOVEMENT. (Received June 1, 10 a.m.) ADELAIDE. This Day. The Methodist Conference decided on a forward movement with respect to the missionary policy necjsritating an increase in income of £10,500 annually, bringing the total income up to the £40,000 necessary to meet the existent expenditure (£30,000), and defray a deficit of £7900, of -which £4000 was caused by the Fiji hurricane, and the balance by progressive work in Papua. New Britain, the Solomon Islands, ami India.