THE METHODIST CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 33

THE METHODIST CHURCH

BILL PASSED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. ADELAIDE, September 28. In the Legislative Assembly the Methodist ChuirCh Bill, providing for the weparation of the New Zealand Conference, has passed through all its stages. INDEPENDENCE IN NEW ZEALAND. ENABLING BILL INTRODUCED. (Fbom Ouh Own Uobrespondent.) WELLINGTON, September 28. Legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives to oonfer independent and self-governing powers upon the Methodist Church of Australasia in New Zealand, which embraces 82,000 people who profess or call themselves Methodists. The desire for independence was emphatically affirmed by the New Zealand Conference, and subsequently the General Conference of the church at its session in Adelaide last year unanimously agreed to the proposal. The annual Conferences in the Australian States have confirmed this resolution, but before independence can be actually conferred it is necessary that the sanction of the New Zealand and the Australian State .. Legislatures should be obtained. Legislation to give effect to the proposal is how being submitted to the various Parliaments. Preliminary to the introduction of the bill, the Prime Minister moved that the Standing Orders should be suspended in order that it might be introduced as a private bill and allowed to proceed as a public bill. Objection was raised to this proposal by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr W. P. Massey), who said that if the measure was a private bill the formalities should be complied with. He was assured by Mr X. M. Isitt (Christchuroh North) that there was no further controversy about the matter, and the church desired the legislation to give effect to its resolutions. Mr J.- P. Luke (Wellington Suburbs) said that when independence had been granted the proposals for a union of the Methodist and the Primitive Methodist Churches would be considered by a special Conference, and it was desirable that there should be no delay. The Prime Minister explained the character of the bill, and Mr Massey withdrew his objection. The Speaker said that the bill had not been advertised. The Clerk had not given the necessary certificate of the deposit of £2O, which had not been paid. The bill must be introduced as a public bill. The Prime Minister amended his motion to this effect, and the bill was read a first time. ~.,.