MORMON CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 22

MORMON CONFERENCE.

PALMERSTON N., April V. Tlio Mormon Conference at Awapuni now numbers 1000, and meetings and services are .being held for Europeans as well as for the Maoris. A large number of Kuopeans visited the camp to-day, and were addreesed by elders. Amongst th« visitors to-day was Mr John Stevens, fate member of Parliament, who addressed the Maori gathering, commenting on the work of temperance and social uplifting, and the proposed agricultural college a* beneficial to the race. Speaking to a Manawatu Times reporter Mr Rcmney, head of the mission, said lie failed to understand why the meeting of the Wanganui Presbytery had condemned the Hon. Te Rangihiroa and Dr Pomare for visiting them. There was no more reason why they should not visit the conference than why they should not visit the Presbyterian meeting. The Mormon Church was here to teach temperance, virtue, and industry to the .Maori people in the course of their general crusade for Christ and humanity. As a -consequence thousands of Maoris had given up alcohol, tobacco, tea, ead coffee, and were otherwise living more wholesome and Christlike lives. The Mormons were doing what their critics had failed to do, and were asking nothing in return. They were spending £600,000 a year on an educational crusade the world round. Out of this came £10,030 this year for a Maori agricultural college. They had an organisation within their Church for "the prevention of poverty, and no Mormon ever went hungry or sought charity from others. They taught the Scriptures and the latterday' revelation, and lived clean, virtuous, i; nd useful lives. Why, then, should they he roodeinned by a Presbyterian Assembly. PALMERSTON N., April 8. In connection with the Presbyterian Assembly's protest against the Hon. Te Rangihiroa and Dr Pomare, M.P., giving political addresses at the Mormon conference, the Rev. Mr Budd. of Feilding, replving to Mr Eomney, head of the Mormon mission, says the deliverance of political addresses by such prominent public men is likely to affect the attendance materially, and to bring under the influence of Mormon teachers many who would otherwise not be there. Moreover, it is not the function of a Minister of the Crown to act os bellman for any religious gathering. Against that the Presbyterian Assembly respectfully made its protest.