METHODIST CONFERENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 6 March 1914, Page 3

METHODIST CONFERENCE

BH3LE IN SCHOOLS LEAGUE

SUPPORTED PY CONFERENCE

(o"nit«d Phess Association.) . DUNEDIN. March 5. At the Methodist Conference this afternoon it was decided to urge the Maori agents to' secure more adequate support of home missions by Maori people'. The conference deprecated the establishing of a separate fund for Maori work. The Rev. T. G. Brooke, organising secre--tary, and Mr T. Veale, treasurer, were unanimously re-appointed. A life honorarium of £SO was" granted to the Rev. W. Gittos, late superintendent of Maori rrissionSi An appeal was made to circuits to increase the income, and allow of a more vigorous policy of extension of work amongst the Maoris. I

Suggested amendments to the book of laws were agreed to, and the book accepted by the conference. The appoimtm-ent of an organising secretary in the Dominion for foreign missions was held over pending a decision as to New Zealand's special sphere of activity, but organising secretaries were appointed for each of the ten districts of the Dominion.

A resolution was approved relating to the union of the Methodist Churches in Tonga, and the union of these churches with the New Zealand Church.

The report of the New Zealand members of the board of missions offered the following alternative suggestions for separate field portions of mission work : (1) Fiji, including Indian work : (2) Indian work in Fiji ; (3) Solomon Islands, Toncra, and Samoa. The matter will be considered by a special committee during the year. The third proposal will probably 'be adopted. At the Methodist Conference this evening the Bible in- schools question was introduced by the Rev. J. J. "Lewis moving in an eloquei, 4 ; speech : "That this conference affirms its adherence' to the platform and objects of the Bible in. State Schools League, and congratulates the Leaoue on the success that has attended its efforts during the past .year, and urges the Government to pass the necessary legislation to enable the peopl« of the Dominion to express their will concerning this important question at the next general election." This was seconded bv Mr J. A. Fl-hor.

The Rev. J. W. Bur'rn moved as an amendment: "That th= crrferrnc? regards a proposed refer- rdrvm on the Bible in schools question in its present form as distinctly unfair, in tint it disfranchises so manv member* o£ the community, who. while agreeing with the first section of the proposal which aims at the introduction of the Bible into the schools, cannot conscientiously vote for the se'tion which seeks to introduce an obvious form cf sectarian instruction to children." The amendment was lost by 86 votes to 15. The motion, on bsing put, was carried by 95 votes to 14. The Rev. Mr Lewis received a rreat ovation en the conclusion of.his reply.