METHODIST CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13456, 5 June 1907, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

FIJI DISTRICT CONSTITUTED

QUESTION OF LAY REPEE. BENTATION.

By Telegraph.—Press Association—

(Received June 5, 12.43. am.)

SvnsEV, June 4. At the Methodist Conference today Dr. Brown moved the adoption of the report of the Fiji Commission on the constitution of a Fiji district.

The conference agreed that the pastoral session should consist, of all, the European ministers arid preachers on trial and one native minister from each circuit.

There was a lengthy debate on the question of the composition of the Financial Committee. Finally, it was resolved that it should consist of four superintendent missionaries, two native . ministers, and two native lay members of the Church.

Mr. Blade said that though he had been away from Fiji for five years he had not allowed his knowledge of the place to lapse, with the result that he had found it of advantage to modify his views, -He therefore stood in the conference, not to oppose lay representation». but to support it. It was a little hard to go back on his previous standpoint, but he was seeking to do the best for Fiji. They were not forcing anything upon Fiji, for the question had been before the Group since 1901, and people there had had : tims to consider it. Lay representation had become a question of importance to the Fijians, who wanted it, and unless they got it then a position of danger would be created.