WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4301, 9 March 1901, Page 2

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

EIGHTH DAY. The Wesleyan Conference met yesterday morning in representative! session, when the consideration of the Century Commemoration Fund was resumed. Votes of thanks were passed to. the executive officers of the Fund Committee and to the general secretary of the fund (Rev C. H. Garland). In connection with the proposed Children’s Home and Orphanage, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr T.‘ Allen, to appoint a committee to collect necessary data and draw up a detailed scheme for submission to the conference of 1902, in. order to bring about as speedy a realisation as possible of this part of the Century Commemoration Fund proposals.

The report of the connexioual secretary was received and adopted. It was resolved that the Rev Dr Morley he thanked for past services and reappointed connexional secretary. It was resolved that- a probationary minister be appointed to the Wellington Taranaki street circuit. THE UNION OP THE METHODIST CHURCHES.

Dr Morley moved, and the Rev Mr Orchard seconded, the following important resolutions:—That, in view of the arrangements made for effecting Methodist union in all the other colonies of, the Australasian group, in the year 1902. and the desirability of it in New Zealand, communications be opened up with the president and executive of the Primitive Methodist Conference of New Zealand for the purpose of ascertaining whether thei Primitive Methodist Church, in. this colony is now prenared to accept the basis of union adopted by tjio General Conference, and so bring about complete union in the.colony and the establishment of one Methodist Church throughout Australasia. Also that committees be appointed to forward the movement in the manner indicated in the motion.

Dr Morley supported his motion in a strong speech, which was received with cheers.

The majority of those who followed him gave tho proposal their support. .The Rev H. Bull moved an amendment to the effect that the! time was inopportune on financial grounds, but, with consent, his amendment was withdrawn in favour of another, proposed by the Rev Mr Parsonsens, to the effect that in the absence of overtures from the Primitive Methodists the Conference could not entertain Dr Morley’s motion. On being put to the meeting, the amendment was lost. ,

Dr Morley's motion was thou carried by an overwhelming majority. The Conference was engaged in the afternoon in discussing the advantages of amalgamating the connexional newspaper “The Advocate” with the “Outlook,” the Presbyterian and Congregational organ, published in Dunedin. It was ultimately resolved to merge “The Advocate” in the “Outlook” oii certain mutually advantageous terms, tho amalgamation to take place at a time to be agreed upon hereafter. A certain proportion of the reading matter, it Avas further resolved, shall bo supplied to the newly-organised journal by an editor appointed by the Conference and residing in Dunedin, where “The Outlook’’ is published, under 'the editorship of Dr Waddell.

- A committee Avas then appointed for the next ydar, and to the Rev T. G. irooke Avere assigned the duties, of con--nexional editor. ,

The balance-sheet of the contingent fund was then read and adopted.

The Conference will resume its sittings at 10.30 this morning. An afternoon session Avill bo held, commencing at 2.30. , >