THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 10471, 15 November 1897, Page 4

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE

AUCKLAND, November 15. On Saturday the Interchanges Committee recommended the following ministerial intercolonial exchanges :—Rev. C. E. James, from New South Wales to Queensland ; Rev! H. Perrington, Queensland to New South Wales ; Rev. S. Wright, New South Wales to Queensland ; Rev. W. F. Howard, Queensland to New South Wales ; Rev, j! Bsale, New South Wales to South Australia; Rev. J. A. Jeffries, South Australia to N«w South Wales; Rev. E. T. Cox, Victoria to Souih Australia ; Rev. G. Kelly South Australia to Victoria ; Rev. s! Cuthbert, Victoria to South Australia • Rev. H. H. Teague, South Australia to Victoria ; R.v. T. E. Thomas, South Australia to New Zealand ; Rs-.v. J. A. Luxford, New Zealand to South Australia ; Rev, w! H. Hanton, Smith Australia to Queensland; Rev. W. Jeffries, Queensland to South' Australia. Ttie Rev. Mr Grave moved that the rccommsndalion of the Committee be received, and that each proposed exchange be submitted to the vote' of the Conference. The latter suggestion was adopted, and all the exchanges were agreed to with the exception of the interchange between the Revs. J. licale (New South Wales) and J. A. Jeffric3 (South Au3tralia). The interchange between the Rev. E. T. Cox (Victoria) and R. K-.lly (South Australia) was agreed to, with a provision that it take effect iu 1899. The Rsv. Mr Morley moved the following transferences as an amendment : Rev. J. A. Luxfoid, New Zealand to New South Wales; Rev. T. E. Thomas, South Auiualia to Queensland; Rev. H. H. Te-ague, Soith Australia to New Z. aland ; Rsv. W. Jeffries, Queensland to South Australia; Rev. J. Beale, New South Wales to South Australia. After a spirited discussion iho amendment was lost. The Rev. S. W. Fairclough (New Zealand) challenged the vote on the exchange of the Revs. Thomas (South Australia) and Luxford (New Zealand), and a second vote was taken, when the motion was carried by 59 to 34, every member voting. He the amendment of the Queensland model deed, the Rev. H. Youngmau moved, and it was carried, that a committee be appointed to consider the desirability of this General Conference giving approval to the proposed amendment.

Be. Tongan affairs, the Conference Bit with closed doors. A report furnished by the secretary of the Conference (the Rev. G. Lane), as convener of the Tongan Committeej was read and adopted, and it was resolved) on the motion of the secretary, that a special committee on Tongan affairs be appointed of similar constitution to that appointed by the la3t General Conference.

The Rev. Mr Morley moved, and it was carried unanimously—"That the General Conference of 1594 having affirmed that in their judgment Methodist union in the colonies would be for the glory of God and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom, this Conference further express their desire for such union in the Friendly Islands, where the i two churches of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Free Church of Tonga (which is Methodist in its original doctrine and policy) are now in existence." It was further resolved that a letter conveying kindly greetings and embodying the above resolution be sent to the ebmches in Tonga. It was deeidtd on the motion of Mr Toasey that the ex-president (the Rev. W. Morley) and secretary be a committee to draw up instructions for the Tongan Committee, the same to be submitted to the Conference. The president of the General Conference was empowered to fill up any vacancies which may occur in the Tongan Committee upon the nomination of the president of the annual Conference within which such vacancy may occur.