METHODIST CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18801, 2 March 1923, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCE

YESTERDAY'S SESSIONS. The annual conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand was continued yesterday, the Rev. E. D. Patchett (President) in the chair. THE GEAR TRUST. Mr J. A. Fleshor, legal adviser to the Conference, submitted a report on the Gear Trust. Ho stated that all through the, exigencies of the war the church had not been able to put a resident minister at Porirua-during the past three years and the Public Trustee had claimed that the trust was void. Mr Elcsher had given a contrary opinion, and Sir John Findlay had supported that opinion. He moved —“That a committee be elected to fulfil the requirements of the trust.”—Carried. BOARD OF MANAGEMENT. The Board of Management submitted the report on the Supernumerary Fund, which stated that the question raised at last Conference in regard to the liability of circuits to which ministers on the Australian Fund are appointed had been dealt with by the President’s legal adviser, who had given his opinion that the Conference had full power to make the levy on those circuits, the same as on other circuits. The Board of Management repeated the recommendation made last year. There was still £133 6s lid due to the Centenary Fund. The annuities paid to supernumeraries and ministers’ widov/s during 1922 amounted to £6637 19s 4d, and furniture grants to £170; £3Bl 12s 2d was paid to a minister who retired under the provisions of medical probation. The' working expenses of the fund were £261 11a Gd, a little over 7 per cent, on the income from subscriptions and circuit levies. On the accumulated funds £94,309 was invested on mortgage at a rate of interest from 5§ per cent to 7 per cent. The amount invested in Government and local bodies’ debentures was £20,506 15s. The average rate of interest earned on the mean funds for the year was £5 19s per cent. Grants totalling £166 had been made under the Benevolent Fund. The sum of £93 had been paid to retiring home missionaries during the year, and £44 had been returned to the Home Mission treasurers. The surplus in the fund was £235 17s Bd. The accumulated funds under the Deaconesses’ Retiring Fund amounted to £327 13s lid. —The report was presented by the Rev. S. Lawry, and a lengthy discussion took place on the question of the connections! funds, the Rev. G. Frost, who described himself as “the last of a noble line of noblemen” on the Australian Fund, arguing in favour of the actuarial principle. Under the Board’s proposals, he contended, he, as the survivor, would have to pay into a fund from which he would derive no benefit.—The argument was mainly be! ween Messrs Lawrv and Frost, and some stinging remarks were passed by the former. Criticising the argument of Mr Frost, Mr Lawry stated that, in support of his claim to interpret the English of certain resolutions, Mr Frost had said that he had taken a degree at a university. Well, he (Mr Lawry) could not congratulate the university. There were an uproar and cries of “Withdraw,” but Mr Lawry refused, declaring that he had made no reflection on an individual.—Eventually (he vote was taken and the motion carried, the decision meaning that circuits and departments pay for each minister employed therein, whether he be connected with the New Zealand Supernumerary Fund or not, the sum of £ls per annum payable in quarterly instalments; when a circuit employs a minister who is connected with the Australasian Supernumerary Fund and the amount of the circuit levy fixed by the Australasian General Conference is less or more than £ls, the difference shall he credited to or paid by the New Zealand Fund.

The Conference remits included a recommendation that the rule of the Australasian Fund be adopted—“ln cases whore both the father and the mother are dead, the treasury shall make an allowance to the orphan children of a minister at the rat© of £lO per annum for each boy un to the age of 16 years and for each girl up to the age of 18 years, provided that the total sum thus paid shall not exceed the amount of the annuity payable to a widow of such minister.”

The balance sheet of the Supernumerary Funl showed an increase of the funds of £?613 4a lOtl during the year.—Adopted. The report of the Board was adopted, and the secretary and members of the Board were thanked for their services. The following new Board was elected:—The connections.! secretary—Revs. W. Baumber, G. D. Patchett, A. H. Fowles, P. R. Paris, J. Guy, Messrs J. C. Prudhoc (treasurer), W. H. Seed. W. Dobbs, G. Bowron, W. H. Foster, A. F. Drayton. WOMEN'S MISSIONARY UNION.

Mosdanies W. H. Duke and R. Raine presented tho report of the W.M.A.U., which stated that there were now 27 auxiliaries with a total membership of 1800. Six sisters were being supported in the Solomons. It was hoped to have a second sister at work among the Maoris before tho end of tho year. At the end of the year the site of the executive of tho union would bo moved from Christchurch to Auckland. — The President expressed the conference’s very high appreciation of the work done by the auxiliary.—(Applause.) YOUNG PEOPLE'S DEPARTMENT.

The Rev. E. P. Blamires moved—“ That tho income for the Young People’s Department for 1923 be collected from tho circuits pro rata on a basis of membership.’’— An amendment was moved by Mr P. W. Sharp, on behalf of tho S.S. and Y.P. Board —“That tlio finance bo placed on the Contingent Fund (jy a 2 per cent, levy on ministerial stipends."—The motion was carried and tho amendment was lost.—The Rev. T. G. Brooke raised a laugh by asking if “another card is to be ,sont out showing a boy biting something?” THE CONTINGENT FUND.

Mr E. A. Rosevear submitted the report on the contingent fund account, which showed receipts amounting to £3730 9s lOd (including a balance carried forward of £BO3 18s, and £2885 la 9d from circuit levies) against a expenditure of £2714 12s, leaving a credit of £lols.—The report was adioptecL THE LEVY INCREASED. Mr Rosevear moved that tho levy be fixed at 8 per cent.—an increase of i per cent. He said that if tho increase was not made this year, the treasurer would have to come cap in hand for a grant for some fund or a largo increase would have to bo made. —An amendment moved by the Rev. \V; Beckett that the levy remain unaltered was lost and the motion was carried. ( THE TREASURER. Mr E. A. Rosevear said that that would be tho last occasion on which ho would submit the treasurer’s report. He mentioned that he had held tho office for 12 years.—The Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt paid a warm tribute to Mr Rosevear in moving a recommendation from the Otago-Southland Synod, expressing nearly appreciation of Mr Roeevear’s services in the office, and also in the various other capacities in which he had held continuous membership in the Otago Synod for 23 years, and in the New Zealand Conference for 25 years. —Several speakers pressed Mr Rosevear to again act us treasurer for the ensuing year. —Eventually Mr Rosevear acceded to the request, emphasising that he would not continue to carry on after that.—Tho President stated that words could not express the value of Mr Boaevear’s services, and he was very thankful that Mr Rosevear had again agreed to take office. —The motion was passed amidst loud applause, and a committee was appointed to consider the appointment of a treasurer for next year. —The thanks of the Conference were also presented to the Rev. Rugby Pratt for his services as clerical treasurer, and the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse was appointed his successor. FOREIGN MISSIONS. The income and expenditure account of the Foreign Missions account showed that there was a deficit of £3720 13s. The adoption was moved by tho Rev. W. Sinclair (foreign missionary secretary), who said that the position had gone back to where it was in 1917. Ho added thft a considerable part of the deficiency was due to the plantations. They had cocoanut plantations of about 1300 acres, valued at £35,000. So it would be seen that, while tlioy had taken over a liability of £3721 from Australia, tlioy had also taken over valuable assets, liming tho year the expenses in connection with the plantations had amounted to £2215 and only £678 had been received. However, a gradual but sure improvement in the price of copra was expected. The board was strongly of opinion that power should be given 0 to borrow money on the plantations For their development—The financial statement was adopted.—Mr Sinclair then moved —“That authority be given the board to borrow £SOOO for the improvement of tho plantations.” —Mr Moses Ayrton suggested that tire nature of the work should be decided before it was resolved to invest capital •jj yi x K. J. Dynreberg stressed tho vital importance of the Foreign Mission work, and spoke hopefully regarding the outlook for an improvement in tho financial position.—Mr Ayrnton offered the opinion that tho first business for which they existed was the evangelisation, education, and christianising of the people in the Solomon Islands. The plantation business might be necessary, but it was surely subsidiary. Ho wanted the full facts before voting on the question.—Mr Webb Jones declared that tho most successful mission fields—those in Africa—wore where tho industrial life of tho natives was improved hand in hand with administration to the spiritual needs. —The amount of £SOOO was altered to “not exceeding £6OOO, and motion was carried. —Mr Sinclair moved "that the omt&nary treasurer buy the £ISOO due to

the Foreign Missions’ Board, to bo used afi the board should decide.” —Mr Sinclair said that the money was originally intended for progress work, but, in view of the position, it should bo placed at the use of the board without restriction. In a few years, he was sure, the money would be available for the original purpose. —Mr H. Field, in supporting tho proposal (which was carried unanimously) said that he did not think any other mission in tho world had mado such strides. Mr Sinclair proposed that the estimates of contributions should be £13,500 from New Zealand, and £2500. from the Solomons. The expenditure was estimated at £13,000 in the Islands and £1022, working expenses, in New Zealand—a total allowing for a repayment to the Australian Board, of £15,552. —Carried. Tho following additional recommendations were adopted-That a medical students training fund he established, and that £6O bo placed on the estimates for the fund, to be used only if required, and that the Rev. W. Beckett be appointed treasurer; that Mr E. G. Sayers be accepted as a student in training for medical mission work; that tho question of establishing a central dispensary in the Solomon Islands bo referred to the Mission District Synod, and, if approved, that the chairman be requested to furnish details in connection with the carrying out of the scheme; that in view of the fact that a history of the Solomon Islands Mission will be needed in the future, the Rev. and Mrs J. F. Goldie and others identified with tho pioneer work in the Solomons bo requested to prepare notes with a view to the publication of tho story of the mission at some future date; that a short account of the life of Daniel Bula be published, provided satisfactory financial arrangements can be made; that in view of tho financial position of the Missionary Society, the appointment of a second missionary to Bougainville be not made this year; that the treasurers, the Rev. G. T. Marshall and Mr J. W. Court, be thanked for their services during the pagt year, and that they be reappointed. The report also dealt with tho indentured labour employed on the plantations of the Church, and the commission reported that there was no need to alter the system at present. THE EVENING SESSION. DEBATE ON LIQUOR ISSUE. 'Phere was a lengthy discussion in committee on the report of the Wellington CSty Missioner. On resuming Conference the mission was granted permission to appeal to tho Church throughout New Zealand for assistance in improving its financial position, and the Rev. H. T. Peat and his officials were granted a vote of thanks for the work during the year.—Tho reports of the Auckland and Dunedin Missions were also adopted.—ln regard to tho first-named complimentary reference was made to the work of Mr Eaton, and Mr T. Smith told the Conference of the great work done on behalf of tho mission by Miss Boot. The report referred to the satisfactory efforts to extinguish the debt, and to the successful work carried on in all departments during the year. TRIBUTE TO MR EATON.

The Rev. E. T. Patchett moved a motion congratulating and thanking Mr Eaton for his great work in Dunedin during the past eight years. In doing bo he spoke very highly of Mr Eaton’s services in this city. Mr W. King seconded the motion, and declared that it almost made him tremble to think of the difficult task before Mr Eaton’s successor. Mr Eaton had a warm love for the young, and for all who needed assistance, and his kindness would be grealty missed. Rev. W. Walker supported the motion, stating that it would be impossible to apeak too highly of Mr Eaton and his work. The motion was carried by acclamation. THE METHODIST' TIMES.

The adoption of the report on the Methodist Times wa,s moved by Rev. E. T. Patchett. The report set out that the circulation was steadily increasing, and that it was now 4000. Many of the subscribers had expressed their appreciation of the paper and the work of the new editor.—The report was adopted, and the editor (Rev. J. Napier Milne), the associate editor (Rev. Percy Paris), the manager (Rev. S. Lawry), and other officers were reappointed, and a vote of thanks passed to them for their services. The editor’s honorarium was fixed at £4O and the associate editor’s at £25. SABBATH DESECRATION.

The report on temperance and public morals referred with satisfaction to the fact that the totalisator had not been introduced into Victoria and Tasmania. Regarding Sabbath desecration, appreciation was expressed of the efforts of those local bodies that were seeking to uphold the sanctity of the Sabbath.

Rev. J. H. Haslem declared that he was as strong an advocate of Sabbath observance as anybody, but, at the same time, ho questioned if they could take this stand by right of Divine command. Indeed, he thought that, in a debate on the point, a side so taking its stand would be defeated. Other delegates held that the church should do everything possible to oppose the tendency of public bodies to throw open their reserves to Sunday games. THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Motions expressing the hope that Parliament would legislate on tne lines of the V.D. Committee’s report, and urging that tho State Control issue should bo eliminated Irom the ballot paper, were considered.— Rev. J. Napier Milne held that if they had been keener they would not now be bemoaning • tho overthrow of the prohibition vote. Ho supposed that most Methodists had voted lor prohibition, but how many, he asked, had worked for it? It seemed to him that to expect to got the Government to eliminate the Slate Control issue was to under-estimate the forces arranged against them. Furthermore, ic was a> request for the disenfranchisement of 35,000 voters who considered that neither the present system nor prohibition was the solution of a great problem. That would bo a tactical error. —(“Hear, hear.’') As an amendment, he moved —“That, at future polls on tho liquor issue, the issue be carried ' that polls the most votes, as in the Parliamentary elections; in the alternative, that voters for State Control should have the right at the time or subsequently to record a vote for one of the other issues, to be counted if State Control should not be carried.” Mr Milne wont on to say that there were many people as respectable as any at the Conference who indulged in a glass of beer or a glass of wine, and, difficult as it might be, they should carry on the campaign without harshness and heat. If the war was fought keenly and fairly, the day would soon come when a man would no longer say to his brother. “Art thou a prohibitionist?” for all would be prohibitionists from the least to the greatest. —Rev. Patchett, convener of the committee that had handled the report, said that the N.Z. Alliance had decided to go out for the elimination of State Control, and it would be unwise not to stand behind the Alliance.—Rev. La wry deprecated the suggestion to introduce preferential voting into the issue.—Rev. W. J. Williams was anxious lest the suggestion of harshness should give the liquor supporters a tool. From a long experience of the tight, he knew of no harshness being employed by tho prohibitionists. Rev. Milne declared that a gentle and more loving spirit should be introduced to the campaign. Ho had not been impressed by some" of tho epithets used and some of the cartoons published. They were just (no kind of thing to turn men away from the movement. —The amendment was lost and the motion carried. Rev. E. Drake was elected to represent the Conference on the N.Z. Alliance.

REMAINING FUNCTIONS. The remaining functions in connection with tho Methodist Conference include the garden party to-morrow afternoon at the residence of Mr and Mrs S. Solomon, Bellcknowes. An open-air rally, to be addressed by three visiting ministers, will be held at the Town Hall steps, Octagon, to-morrow evening. On Sunday morning the dear conessos’ dedication service will bo held in Trinity Church, and in tho afternoon the citizenship meeting will be held in the Octagon Hall. Addresses will be given by the Revs. W. A. Hay and J. Napier Milne.