METHODIST CHURCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 February 1931, Page 10

METHODIST CHURCH

REPORTS TO CONFERENCE.

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

DUNEDIN, February 26

At the Methodist Conference the report of the Women’s Missionary Union stated .that the- membership was now 2,940. an increase of more than 100 members. The year had commenced with 43 auxiliaries and closed with 48. The income for the yedr. was £2,590, an increase of £7O oyer last . year. The Union was turning its attention to the advancement of work among Maori girls, and it was hoped to establish a traiiiing home on a small scale in Auckland.

The report of the Children’s Fund showed .the expenditure was £75/13/1 more than the income, and the Committee was of opinion that a levy of 71 per cent, be struck. The financial statement of the Foreign Missionary Society for 1930 disclosed, an income of £15,249/9/-, and an expenditure of £21,414/3/1, leaving a debit balance of £614/14/1. The Board of Foreign Missions estimated that the income for 1931 would he £14,500, and that the expenditure would be £10,500. e On the motions of Rev. W. A. Sinclair General Secretary of the Board, it was decided: “That £l4OOO be regarded as the extreme limit of expenditure on the mission field, that the Chairman be, asked if he can bring the expenditure within that amount; and if this is not possible he be requested to indicate what • steps must Be taken to reduce the expenditure to Hie amount of £14,000; that ah S.O.S. appeal be sent out to provide special help on a general fund of £“5000 sufficient to cover the difference between the estimated ordinary income and expenditure for' this year, amounting to £2OOO, to prevent the withdrawal of workers from the field, and also to assist in placing the Mission in a more satisfactory financial position; that contributions to tlie “5.0.5.” fund extend over a period of three years, >if so desired; that' the financial position be reviewed at tlie end of July, and if the result of the S.O.S. appeal be hot then regarded as sufficiently satisfactory, certain workers be withdrawn from the mission field.”

“With reference to future medical policy in the Island, the Board recommends (1) That Dr Sayers return to the mission field for a further term of service; (2) that the future medical policy of the Mission is not, definitely determined until the result of tlie S.O.S. appeal be known; (3) that tlie Board is of the opinion that ,thcfe should be only ond base hospital in the* Mission district, located lit Bihia oi‘ otfifer suitable central place.” On the recommendations of tlid Board, it was decided that Roviaria circuit be that the portion of the present circuit Situated in the British Solomons be constituted, a. circuit, to be named the Roviana circuit, that -dn area situated in the mandated territory of New Guinea be constituted a circuit and jiairied thd BdWinvillc and Buka circuit and that Rev. J. R. Matclaf -be appointed Superintendent of Bungainville and Buka circuit. It was further decided, that the Board take into full consideration at the earliest possible date, the future of Banga .plantation, arid that the- Chairman of the Mission District be conimunicated with concerning the fiossibility of reducing considerably the working expenses plantation until the price of copi'a inbreases, and that tlie working expenses on _ other plantations be reduced to a mlminum. A. deputation from the League of Nations, which was introduced by Rdv. H. E. Bellhouse, waited on the conference and appealed to members to use their influence to further the aims of the- Union and acquaint their people with its ideals. Rek C. Eaton, whb replied on behalf of the conference, assured, tlie deputation of"lhe wliole-hearted support bi the conference and stated that life trusted to see the unification of manhood at no distant date. ■> f;