METHODIST CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13845, 7 March 1907, Page 8

METHODIST CONFERENCE

THE QUESTION OF INDEPENDENCE. AX IMPORTANT DEBATE. closiTvoting. (FROII Oct. OWN CoRHEsrosDENT.) CERISTCIIURCH, March 6. The Methodist Conference met in pastcral session iJiis morning An application from the Rev. T. T. Jones tn l:o left without pastoral charge tor one yuav was accodod fo. An application from iho Rev. K JI. Ginger for pcruiissloii to visit England in 1807, a probationer to be sent as supply to bis circuit, was granted. An application from Rev. C. 11. Laws. 8.A., for permission to visit England in 1903, a probationer to be sent as supply to his circuit, was granted. Tho Rev. S. .1. Gavlick was granted a year's rest, with a supply to bo sent, to bis circuit. A letter- of sympathy was directed to lie sent- to liini. and a. icitcr of thanks to Mr .1. T. Knott, M.A., who bad supplied for Mr Clarlick during his illness. Au application from tho Rev. James Thomas to be allowed to rest for one year was aeceeded to. TJio application of the Rev. AY. Lee to bo allowed to superannuate was considered. A number of those present spoke of his valuable service.? to the Gluirch during bis 43 years' ministry and of the esteem in which lie was hcid. By a. standing vote the application was approved.' Mr Leo feelingly replied, stating that lie was not retiring because lie was worn out," but he had had 'ntimations that it would be wise for him to withdraw from more active service. In a rniicler sphere bo hoped yet to bo able to do good work for God and tho Church. George. If. Piper was received as a student; for tho Native ministry, and the recommendation of the Canterbury Synod that ho bo allowed to remain at Canterbury College another year was approved. In reply to the question what ministers bad died since the last Conference, short obituary statements of Hie Revs. 11. 11. Lawry, .T. Orchard, AY. Fxcell, AV. 13. Martin, and AV. Dawson wore read. These were spoken to by a number of ministers. The highest testimony was borne to tho worth of the deceased ministers and to the valuable work they had done. Tile proposal that tho statements read bo the records in the, Conference journal was carried in oach case by a silent standing vote. The death of the Rev. T. Turner, of the British Conference, who lmd lived and laboured in Now Zealand for many years, and who had died in Clu-istchurch since last Conference, was and tho many excellencies of the deceased were referred to. Sympathetic reference was also made to the four ministers' wives who l had died during tho year—Mrs Kirk, Mrs Orchard, Mrs Abcrnetliy. and Mrs li. P. Williams. Mr dames Wilson was received for ordination. A presentation of a glacislone bag and travelling rug was made to the Rev. AV. Leo by the president on behalf of the ministers of the Conference. Mr Lee feelingly replied. Mr Lee is about to leave on it two-year.*' trip to the Old Lmd, after which he proposes to reside at Lyttelton. Mr Lee was' appointed representative to tho British and Irish Conferences, and tho Rev. B. 11. Ginger representative to the Bible Christian and United Methodist Conference. SECOND READING OF STATIONS. The following alterations were made in the second reading of stations:—Auckland (Mounts Albert). Rev. A. N. Scolter, 8.A.; Thames, Itev. S. Lawrv; Hamilton, Rev. T. Fee; AVhangaroi, Rev. J. J. Pond ray; New Plymouth (second preacher), one to ho sent; Ilawera (second preacher), one to be sent; Stratford, Rev. C. Eaton; Sandon, Rev. D. M'Nicoll; Jolinsonville. Kev. C. C. Harrison; Hntt. (supply for Kev. tf. J. Garlic!;, South AYairarapa). sccond preacher, Rev. 11. Richards: Hastings, Rev. T. AVinsiev; AYoodvillc, supply Rev, W, (I. Maslin; Hckitika, Rev. ,1. l'l AY. Ellis: Recfton, Rev. IV I'\ Rothwell: Christehureh (Nautili. Rev. L. Hudson: l'apanui. Rev. AV. C. Oliver: Lyttelton, Rev. A. Peters; Timaru, Rev. AW A. Sinclair: Adilmrton. Rev. 11. K. Bonbons' 1 : AV-illowby, Rev. C!. 11. Standage: Dunedin (North-east Valley). Rev. R. 11. Wylie; Dunedin (Central Mission), Rev. S. .1. Kcrpell; Dunedin (Roslvn), Rev. T. .1. AA'allis: Diiiiediu (Musselburgh). Rev. R. F. Williams; Milton. Rev. AY. 8. Rjowie; Lawrence, Rev. J. A\\ Gritiin. LEGACY. A letter was read announcing that the late Mr. Wilkinson, of Wellington, hail left to llie Home '-Mission Fund £300, and a. similar sum to the Foreign Mission Fund. AN INDEPENDENT CONFERENCE. The evening session was taken up with the debate on an independent conference. The Rev. !>. Lawry' (Sydenham) rose to open the discussion amid much applause. He. said many things might ho taken for granted. (1) That both sides were equally loyal in their desire to promote tho glory of God. (2) That New Zealand as well as Australia was (|uite capable of managing 'her own church affairs. (3) That Now Zealand Methodists were united in their desire to liberalise their churches. (4) That independence is the ultimate goal of New Zealand Methodists. It might also bo taken for granted that tho gaining of independence- always required effort. There was not unanimity on this point. If iliero were be would have no need to argue. He considered the present an opportune time for urging the quest ion of independence. It was not a new one. It had been considered More. lii. 1831 it. -jvas earned by ;v

> largo majority. Tho plea of growth could I not longer bo urged against the New Zea- > land Church, nor that of lack of members. i Recent rulings had made them amenable i to the general president, and even made ! New Zealand questions non-disoussablo on the floor of the General Conference. ! Hitherto laymen wero on the Stationing CommiUeo without the voice of protest, but the general president had now ruled that this could 110 longer be the case. Tho question of a two-thirds majority largely jndlified New Zealand's chance of carrying out her own reforms. Political federation drew- the Australian States together, and asthis consolidation grow Now Zealand's isolation would bo mora and more apparent. Other changes had rendered New Zealand representation both inadequate and unsatisfactory. Tho cost of representation at Ihe last General Conference was £502 10s. and for that ho claimed that ■ they bad 110 adequate return. The Anglicans and Presbyterians hail self-govern-ment without organic combination with Australia, and this had not. proved' deleterious to tho Church. Independence was dependent 011 satisfactory constitutional arrangements being made. If this were not forthcoming independence was impossible. He moved—■" That, subject lo a satisfactory report being presented by tho conimitteo hereafter referred to. the General Conference ho recommended lo make provision fw; giving to the annual Conference of New Zealand nn independent constitution ivitb full powers of legislation and control of its connexional funds under-the name of 'Tho Methodist Church of New Zealand.' " Mr U. 11. Blaekwel! (ICaiapoi) seconded the motion. Ho had tried to find out what real, tangiblo arguments there wero against independence, but hitherto life search bad been unsuccessful. He thought- tho New Zealand Conference bolii willing - and capable in the matter of self-government, and lie felt suro an overwhelming majority of t'no present .Conference was of that opinion. He thought that independence would impart both vigour and; numerical strength to tho New Zealand Melodist Church, and i-hat it was bound to come now ot- in the near future. His regret, was that it had not, como 25 ycare ago. Difficulties would certainly arise, but t-liey would be met and overcome as they arose. The Hov. 11. Bull (Christ-church) moved as an amendment—"That it would, in the opinion of this Conference, bo unwise to take further action at present, with the object of dissolving tho present conferential union between Australia and New Zealand.'' He contended that it would be disastrous to the New Zealand Church lo sever her union with Australia. The synods had by _ a majority of 12 voles decided against -independence.- Seventeen years ago a, vote had boon taken in this church, 57 being for independence and 69 against it. Tho tendency of the ago in 'Methodism was iu favour of union, whether in tho Old World or in tho New. In Europe, in America, and in Africa (hero was no cry for separation, In America they had a grand illustration of the advantages a,ml tho necessity for union. Newfoundland had no desiro to separate from Canada, and it had as much right lo do so as New Zealand to separate from Australia. Tho independence of Now Zealand from Australia would be but the forerunner of independence of the North Island and South Island, and then porhaps of the provinces. Once tho thin edge of division was permitted there was no end to the changcs that would result. lie claimed that 110 spiritual advantages would result from separation from Australia, but rather the reverse. Indeed lie thought that tho work of the New Zealand Methodist Church bad already been hindered by all this agitation in favour of an unwiso independence. Mr Ha-rkness raised the point that the amendment was not in order, inasmuch as 'it- was a direct negative. The President ruled- that 't would bo tetter lo let tho amendment stand. Mr J. TV. Shackelford (Auckland) said ■that among-all- tho chaff of arguments raised in regard to independence lie had garnered three grains of wheat. Tlio first was economy, tlio second was that they c?uld not do what they liked, thci lowest grounds on which independence could bo urged. Restraint in reason was good for disciplinary purposes. The third plea- was the lack of community of interest. As a matter of fact, they looked to Australia to supply them with good Mien from time to time. New Zealand .was not a mere cipher at the General Confcre-nce. At tho last annual Conference New Zealand hold the balanco of power. The New Zealand vote bad sotiled the presidency of Dr Fitehett and various other mailers. The question of tho extension of lay powers was lost by New Zealand because 15 o£ her 30 representatives were absent- when the vote came on. and yet they only lost the motion by two votes. Tho Rev. •). .1. Lewis (Palmerston North) claimed that separation would mean an increase of administrative and clerical expenditure. Unity not onlv meant strengih, but it. meant economy. It -would a<!<! immensely to the difficulties of the work 011 tho foreign mission field if New Zealand was separated from Australia. Ho contended that a great part of the reason for the decrease of 9000 adherents would be found in the fact ibat energy was diverted by these barren discussions in regard to independence. The Rev. V. .T. Williams (Wellington) said ho hoped lliey would have a vote which would indicate that the neoplc of Now Zealand had fully made up their mind that they could govern themselves. The movement in favour of independence was not inspired bv antagonism to Australia, but rather by tho growth of New Zealand herself. Mr R. C. Allen, M.A. (Thames), said tho bulk of tho Auckland people were strongly in favour of union. Ho contended that thero was no analogy between the selfgovernment proclivities of other churches and their own. Cut off from Australia, the Methodist Church would be the most, circumscribed of all religious denominations. There were numerous dangers which quite outweighed all the possible advantages. Tho Rev. 'J'. G. Brooke (ex president) said ho believed in tho independent Conference, and that it was desirable in the interest of ilio highest aims of tho Methodist Church. Men 1500 mile? away could not judge of local needs, and with no legislative powers the local Church was hampered in various ways. Ho had attended General Conference, and affirmed that rather than holding tho balanco of power New Zealand- was apt to receive scant attention. He claimed that the independence movement was a democratic movement, and would ultimately kill sacerdotalism, and enable New Zealand to work out her own salvalion. Tlio Rev. •). A. Luxlord (Auckland) said that ho and his people were strongly against independence, and considered the time inopportune. Mr J. C. Prndhoe (Christchurch) contended that there was everything fo be said in favour of independence for New Zealand. As for the time being not oppor-, tune, no lime would be opportune to some people. To his mind there was 110 time like tho present. The llfiv. C'. 11. Garland (Nelson) said lie admired the spirit in which the mover had introduced his motion, -but- the arguments 011 which he. had based his uloa for independence were paltry and petty in the extreme. He claimed that their connection with Australia had given them tho stable constitution which all must desire. ilr 'I'. 1-1. (Wollinglon) considered the balance, of argument lay indubitably with (ho unionists rather lhan the secessionists. Tho Rev. W. Lee (Lyltelton) spoke at lengih against the proposal. Mr J. F. Arnold, M.11.R. (Dunedin) combated the arguments urged against separation. Tho great cause of the fall-ing-off of Methodist member.; in the census returns was that-" the laymen felt the Church was not as progressive as it should bo. The Rev. S.. Lawry. in replying, said there was comparatively little need to urgo further argument, so completely had his 'supporters rebutted the content-ion of their opponents. The charge that the advocacy of independence was responsible for Iho decrease of 9000 adherents he Hung back with scorn. How could it possibly bo contended that" a- movement which had begun only last March was responsible for a change of belief covering a number of years? The vote was then taken for the amendment, which resulted iu 73 for and 74 votes against. The amendment was therefore lost- by one vote. The Rev. P. W. Fairclough moved as a further amcndmenl—"Thai, in view of the very small majority in favour of independence, it was unwise to proceed further with ilio matter."—The amendment was carried by 78 to 69. The amendment was then put. as a. substantive motion, and carried by 75 to 66. There was a large attendance of visitors, and the debate-was of a. very high order. Although there was strong feeling, it was carried on in Ihe best nossible spirit. Tho repartee was at times keen and brilliant. — What is probably the. most extraordinary forest in the world occupies a tableland some si;: miles in width, near the west- coast- of Africa. The peculiarity of the trees is thai, though their trunks are as much as 4ft in diameter, they only reach a height of Ift. No tree bears more lhan two leaves, and the latter are not im'rc(lucidly 6ft long.