CONVERSAZIONE

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 281, 5 December 1907, Page 5

CONVERSAZIONE

There was a large attendance at the Opera House in the evening when a conversazione was held to welcome the visitors to the Synod. The Rev. J. J. Lewis occupied the chair, and in the course of his introductory remarks said that it gave them all great pleasure to welcome the V'anganui District Synod which was honouring the town of Palmerston North by holding its meeting here. They were deterimngri to extend the workings of their beloved church in every posisble way and ho was quito certain that those speakers who were present to represent the Synod that night would prove themselves the right men in the right place. The Rev. A. J. Reed gave an address on the "Brotherhood of Methodism" in the course of which he gave an interesting resume of a scheme which is being inaugurated in England by Mr Robert Perks. The scheme as suggested by Mr Perks included the provision for emigration of Methodists to the United States, Canada, and the Colonies, employment to be provided for such emigrants, and the institution of a church loan or savings' bank with a view to making provision for their old age. The idea, said Mr Reed, contains the germ of a great scheme, but if it were ever brought about Methodists in the colonies would have to combine together to wel-

come those who emigrated and make them feel at home in their new surroundings. Another very interesting address was that of the Rev. T. G. Brooke, president of the Synod, who spoke at some length on the coming of the no-license campaign. He said that there were .two things the no-license movement was doing, firstly interfering with individual liberty, secondly interfering with the investment of capital. It was a big ques-

tion whether they had anv right to do this, but if a man's liberty interfered with the happiness of his brother man, and if the investment of a man's capital in a certain way interfered with the progress of the people, then they most emphatically had that right. It had been said that they were interfering with the rights of a man to drink what he liked; this was not so, they were merely putting a stop to the making of money out of the liquor traffic. A man could manufacture what he liked for his own consumption. If no-license were to be carried, every man would have to recognise his own responsibility. What they wanted was the enthusiastic work of the individual and behind that they must have the tremendous influence of the Christian church. It must not be looked on merely from a humanitarian point of view but from the Christian point of view, if it were to be carried to a successful issue. The Rev. D. McNicoll then addressed the audience on the missionary revival, pointing out that although some time ago there had been a great deal of talk about the decline of the missionary spirit, this could not be said to-day. As proof of this he mentioned the huge amounts given to the cause at meetings all over the world during the last twelve months and concluded by stating that New Zealand had done her fair share in this financial help, the amount of £3,000 having been subscribed at one meeting, and he had no doubt that the missionary spirit was as lively as ever.

Daring the evening the Rev. Beggs and Mr Hodder made speeches welcoming the visiting Synod, and Mr Bennett moved a vote of thanks to the speakers, the chairman, the members of the choir, and all who had assisted towards making the conversazione a snccess. The combined Methodist choirs gave a nice rendering of the anthems "The Sun shall be no more" and Gloria, while the songs of Mrs Barth (The Message) and Mr Hnghes (The Refuge of the Soul) were mnch appreciated. Refreshments were handed rounded on the stage where a number of small tables had been arranged.

CANTERBURY SYNOD.

THE NEW GAMING ACT,

A FATAL BLOT.

Per Press Association. Christchurch, Dec. 4.

At the meeting of the Canterbury Methodist Synod to-day, the president Rev. H R. Dewsbury, in referring to the new Gaming and Lotteries Act said that there might be some admirable features in connection with it, but the perpetuation of the total isator was a fatal blot. A still ghastlier blot was the licensing of bookmakers. He hoped that the Methodist Church would express itself strongly regarding everything that tended to put its imprimatur on a vice and that legalised and rendered respectable a traffic which was in a large degree detestable.

The report of the District Secretary of Ohurch Property showed that the total trust receipts for the year amonnted to £9,758 16s Id as against £4,940 5s 8d last year, and the total expenditure was £9,796 Is lOd as against £5,383 10s last year. Donations and subscriptions amounted to £4,810 as against £854 last year. The amount owing to the loan fund was £1,040 as against £1,195. and on other securities £7,445 as aainst £7,218 laskyear. The present debts amounted to £8,886 as against £8,413, and the total amount of insurances was £54,895 as against £50,476 last year.

J. B. MANTTAN, European Fruit Market (next Whitehead's, The Square). Highest spot cash price given for gooseberries, strawberries, lettuce, and garden produce.

Consult Samuel Barry, the eyesight specialist; rooms above W. Park's, The Square, Palm6r6ton N. Do it now.*

Motor cars for hire at Skeate? and Bockaert, Ltd., Broad street. 'Phone 142.—Advt.

Oatsheaf chaff 2s, 2s 6d, 3s 6d per bag at J. B. Graham's, the Square.—Advt.