METHODIST SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20420, 23 November 1929, Page 16

METHODIST SYNOD.

CONCLUSION OF SITTINGS.

MILITARY TRAINING SYSTEM. RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL. The sessions of tho Auckla.nd District Synod of the Methodist, Church were conconcluded in the Pitt Street Church School yesterday morning, tho Rev. E. Drake, chairman of tho district, presiding. A resolution urging that tho Pefenco Act. should be amended to abolish compulsory military training was carried with one dissentient. A unanimous vote supported tho recommendation of tho temperance and public morals committee: "That our Now Zealand Church should work for and urge the Government to recognise tho right of tho individual conscience to dctermino tho person's attitude to military service. In this regard it is understood that tho applicant will submit reasonable proofs of his bona fides." • Questions relating to Sunday observance, gambling and liquor were raised by the committee. A resolution protesting against the activities of the Railway Department in running Sunday excursion trains was carried. It was staled that tho Protestant Churches wero united in the matter.

Methodists wero urged to discourage in every way t he gambling spirit. Tho following resolution was carried: —"Wo sincerely regret the reappearance of art. unions for the raising of money and oxpress our disappointment at permission being granted by tho Government for this purpose. We further protest most strongly against the running of art unions in conjunction with public school bazaars, believing it to bo antagonistic to tho best interests of the children."

It was decided to urge Church adherents to work wholeheartedly for the overthrow of the liquor traffic. The efforts of the New Zealand Alliance to obtain a twoissuo ballot-paper and a bare majority vote were commended and support was advocated for tho protection of the natives of tho King Country from the liquor traffic in accordance with tho undertaking given when tho territory was opened. The Rev. W. Walker drew attention to tho increasing number of cases of motorists being found intoxicated in charge of motor-cars and the following resolution was carried: —"In view of tho largo increase of motor vehicle traffic in recent years, and in order that tho public may be more effectively safeguarded, the synod urges upon the Minister of Justice the necessity for dealing more severely with intoxicated motorists." A motion was passed urging the Government to bring down legislation preventing the transfer of a brewery licence from one district to another without the consent of tho people of tho latter district.

Approval of tho work of the Young Men's and Young Women's Bible Class Unions in recruiting new workers for tho Church was expressed.

Several votes of thanks closed tho busi ness of the synod.

SOUTH AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES.

THE OTOEOPIANGA CIRCUIT,

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CAMBRIDGE. Friday. The South Auckland Methodist Synod activities were continued on Wednesday evening with an open-air meeting and were concluded yesterday. At the full representative session the chairman, Rev. W. A. Burley, of Thames, made a stirring appeal for further progress in the province. It was decided to recommend conference to place a single probationer at Olorohanga, in the new circuit, to be under the chairman of the district. It was also decided to urge that Whakatano be raised to full circuit status, with a third-year probationer with a suitablo grant. The Rev. H. J. Orlell was elected synod secretary, and the Rev. A. C. Harris was elected district representative to the conference, with the Rev. F. R. Paris as substitute.