THE BAPTIST CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 158, 4 June 1935, Page 2

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

CENTRAL AUXILIARY MEETS. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. ■WELLINGTON, June 4. A satisfactory state of affairs generality was shown in the report presented by file secretary, Mr D. P. Power, at the annual meeting of the Central Auxiliary of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, held yesterday. Problems that had borne heavily upon the auxiliary during during the last year had been in a considerable degree faced and solved, and the work had been ex-, tended, it was stated.

Rev. L. J. Boulton Smith, president, occupied the chair and welcomed the delegates, who came from Manawatu, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and other parts of the auxiliary’s area. The following ministers were welcomed by the president as having come into the area during the past year:—Revs. H. E. Edridge. Brooklyn: N. R. AYood, Petone, G. N. Garlick, Wanganui East; F. H. Lloyd, Lower Hutt; D. B. Forde Carlisle, Beihampore, and J. C. Maek.v, Palmerston North. The election of officers resulted: — President, Rev. L. J. Boulton Smith ; honorary secretary, Rev. N. R. Wood; honorary treasurer, Mr H. Ivory ; vicepresidents, Revs. W. S. Rollings and J. C. Mucky, Messrs D. P. Power, J. R. Carey, E. Nees. A luncheon was given by the local auxiliary to visiting delegates. Rev. L. J. Boulton Smith acted as host. Addresses of welcome by Revs. H. E. Edridge and A. L. Sileock were replied to by Revs. C. W. Drummond and G. N. Garlick.

The following resolution, submitted by Rev. W. S. Rollings, was passed:—“The delegates of the Central Auxiliary of the Baptist Union of New Zealand declare their hatred of war as involving a violation of everything for which the Christian Gospel stands. They welcome the proposal for a conference of the great Powers, to seek the abolition of aerial and submarine warfare, as a step toward disarmament, and the consequent lessening of the peril of war. They urge upon the New Zealand Government the whole-hearted support of such proposals.” The question of unemployment was raised by the Rev. AY. S. Rollings, whose resolution was passed as follows:—“The delegates of the Central Auxiliary of the Baptist Union of New Zealand express deep concern at the continuance of unemployment on a large scale in the Dominion, with its resultant social, domestic, and moral tragedy. They are alarmed that, through general indifference and Governmental inertia, it should become a permanent feature of national life. They urge the Go\ eminent to treat it as a major national problem and to exert the national strength to meet the situation. They further urge the Government to make adequate provision for the basic needs of the unemployed and their families.” ' The presidential address was given by Rev. L. J. Boulton Smith, and was followed by addresses on “The Crisis in* Liquor Reform,” by Miss C. E. Kirk, J.P., and Air J. Alalton Murray, representatives respectively of the AA’omen’s Christian Temperance Union and the New Zealand Alliance.

The following resolution concerning the liquor traffic was passed :—“That the delegates of the Central Auxiliary declare their continued abhorrence of the liquor trade. They urge upon all their churches the duty of continuing the fight for its prohibition, and commend to their practical support the campaign led by the New Zealand Alliance for its suppression. They also urge the education of the young in regard to the evil results of alcohol through Bands of Hope and the Bible Class Movement.”