METHODIST CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 24

METHODIST CONFERENCE

AUCKLAND, February 28. At the New Zealand Methodist Conference to-day it was announced that Messrs ¥. B. Lawrence, H. J. Odell, G. E Brown, R. E, Fordyce, W. H. Hocking, O. H. Kendon, and B. E. Sage had beeri admitted minister? in futt communion. Mr E. R. Warburton was also received in full communion, but at his own request will spend this year at the Theological College. March 1. The New Zealand Methodist Conference placed on the supernumerary list the Revs. Messrs Hammond, Murray, Peters, Griffiths, Marshall, and Ward.—The Rev. Mr Blamires was given permission to visit England. -.....--.■••' The following probationers were passed in their respective years;—Messrs Dennis, Parker, Dent (Nelson), Bright,, Chambers, Neal, Parksr, Skuse, Cuming, Ford, Padman, and Jefferson. A Board of Examiners for 1920 was a'pointcd, with the Rev. J. A. Haslam as convener. ' Additional preachers were appointed to the following circuits:— Wanganui, Masterton, Gonville, Dunedin (Roslyn). The proposal to transfer Albany to the new Takapuna circuit was rejected. A balance sheet was presented by the treasurer for 1919 showing an income of £8490 and an expenditure of £7345. A summary of the estimates of the Home Mission Fund shewed a total income of £10,102, including a credit balance from 1919. It was estimated that there would be a deficiency of £630 in the present year's working owing to incrcas?d grants to the Home Mission Fund. The report contained the following resolutions, which were adopted by the conference: —" (1) That the forward policy adopted by conference in 1918 be reaffirmed, and the parts of that policy which were suspended by last conference be restored and become operative forthwith; (2) that grants be made to circviits applying for aid," and to assist them in increasing stipend of their minister from £2OO to £250; (3) that the estimate of income from circuits be based on. the actual provision necessary to carry out the conference policy of expenditure"." The question of stipends was considered by the Conference. In regard to home missionaries, the matter was referred back to the Home Missions' Committee, with a view to effecting 'a 25 per cent. increase in home . missionaries' stipends, _ which are now £l6O. The conference decided that, in consequence of the increased cost of living, the minimum stipend for ministers and probationers—now £2OO and £l2O respectively—be. advanced to £250 for ministers and £l6O for probationers. March 2. The New Zealand Methodist Conference carried unanimously a resolution expressing deep gratification at the largeness of the prohibition vote at the. last poll, demanding that only two issues—r Continuance and Prohibition —be submitted at the next poll, and urging the Government to make instruction as to the effects of alcohol compulsory in State schools. Satisfactory reports were received with regard to the North Island and South Island orphanages. The erection of the new orphanage at Masterton was proceeding satisfactorily. The report of the Literature Committee stated that the New Zealand Methodist Times was in a satisfactory financial position, and its enlargement vas contemplated. The editors, the Revs. W. J. Williams and A. C. Lawry, were reappointed. / The provision in" the book of Methodist laws requiring a special statement and reasons in support of ministerial invitations beyond the fifth year was repealed, and the proposal that ministerial invitations _be voted upon by ballot in quarterly -meetings was defeated. At the Methodist Conference to-night the Stations Committee submitted the first draft of ministerial appointments for 1920, which involves the following probable changes in staffing in southern circuits:— Taranaki and Wanganui. —New Plymouth, J. P. Martin, (second); Stratford, L. B. Neale; Kaponga, C. Roberts; Wanganui, R. E. Fordyce (second); Rangitikei, H. T. Poat; Taihape, W. Lea. Wellington—Taranaki Street. H. E. Bellhouse; Thorndon, C. C. . Harrison and G. E. Brown; Jbhnsohville, W. W. Avery; Hutt, G. Frost; Carterton, S. H. D. Perryman ; Levin. N. Turner. Nelson.— W- B. Pickering. North Canterbury;—Durham Street, W. Ready; Addington, R. B. Tinsley: Riccarton, A. H. Fowles; Kaia'poi, W. B. Scott;Christchurch, F. E. Leadley; Greendale, P. Bntley. South Canterbury.—Geraldinc,.. J. Featherston; Oamaru, A. Reader. Otago —St Kilda, E. E. Sage; Caversham, G. P. Hunt; Mosgiel, one wanted; Port Chalmers. C. Clement; Waikouaiti, O. Burnett; Milton, H. Daniel; Roxburgh, W. H. Hooking. Southland.—invercargill Central, H. A. Sharp: St. Peters. P. J. Cossim. Conference resolved that definite teaching in the fundamental principles and history of Protestantism be given regularly in Sunday schools. An ordination service was also held to-night. March 3. The New Zealand Methodist Conference to-day resolved to endeavour to raise £10,750 for foreign mission work in 1920. The accounts of this mission showed an income of £11,225. Sums remitted "to the Australasian Board and disbursed on its account totalled £9314. Additions to working capital fund, including legacies and special donation were £744, making the fund up to £526 (?). • , , A motion that New Zealand contribute £10,750 towards the 'funds of the Australasian Mission was carried unanimously. The need for more workers was emphasised in the report of the Foreign Missions Committee, whioh stated that no minister has been sent by the Methodist Conference for missionary work during the year. There were many indications that the chief difficulty in connection with foreign field work would bo not finance but workers. It was agreed to support the proposal to transfer to, the Methodist Church of New Zealand from the Australian Methodist Church the mission field in the northern portion of the Solomon Islands in 1922. The first draft of the proposed changes in the present staffing of homo mission stations was approved. The draft includes the following: Taranaki-Wanganui District.—Midhurst, W. T. Hooper; Okato, C. Aker Douglas, A. L. Witt'ieford; Wanganui East, O. S. Pearn. - Hawkc's Bay District. —Gisborne, R. T. H. Wearne; Norsewood, T. Flower.

Wellington District. Porirua, one wanted; Otaki, 0. H. Earwaker. Nelson District. —Wakefield, one wanted; Millerton, one wanted. North Canterbury.— Jj. S. Kings; Hawarden, J. Belshaw;. Oxford, C. Duncan. Otago District. —Mosgiel, F. E Foot; Kaitaugata, J. Field; Lawrence, J. W. Bayliss; Cromwell, S. Keen. Southland District. —Tuatapere; T. W. Featherstone. It _ was stated that there were 21 home mission stations vacant throughout the dominion, and so far only three applications had been received for" that branch of the work. March 4. At the Methodist Conference a number of recommendations from the Committee of the Younger Ministers, calling for a strong forward spiritual movement on the part of the Church, were unanimously adopted. The fact that promises made about eight years ago of sums totalling £7OOO for the establishment of a training college in Auckland had*not been fulfilled by members of the Church was considered. It was reported that in subscriptions, donations, and legacies only £1948 had been received. The report of the Welfare Committee tetated that the total church membership v/as 23,205, a decrease of 122. The attendance at publio worship was estimated at 77 800,. an increase of 780. Resolutions were passed on the forwaird movement, and the conference agreed to eupport the proposal of the New Zealand Church to take over from Australia the mission field in the northern portion of the Solomon Islands, including Bougainville and Baku. . . , March 5. At the Methodist Conference it was agreed to amalgamate the Otago and Southland districts into one district, to be known as the Otago-Southland district. The celebrations in connection with the approaching centenary of the introduction of Methodism and the establishment of the first Methodist mission in New Zealand were considered. It was decided that the-1922 conference be the centenary conference. The Centenary Celebration Committee's report, which was approved, contained proposals for suitable" religious services ' and public gatherings throughout the whole of the l , dominion. It was also agreed that, on the Sunday nearest June 8, the date of the first Methodist service in New Zealand, thanksgiving services be held in the churches, and special gatherings held during the week following the centenary. A thanksgiving fund of £40,00C is to be allocated as follows: —Superannuation fund, £BSOO ; theological college, £BOOO ; church buildings and loan fund, £8000; foreign missions, £5000; Wesley Training College, £3000; deaconesses' work, £3000; local preachers' work, £1000; memorial church at Kaeo, £1500; working expenses £1500; and unallocated. £SOO.

The attitude of the Church to the presentday labour problems was considered by the conference'. Mr Johnson moved—" That in order to demonstrate its practical sympathy with the efforts being made for improving the social and industrial conditions, the conference be requested to set aside one Sunday throughout the whole connection as a day on which special reference will'be made by the various preachers to the urgent necessity of the application of Christian principles in industrial affairs.'" The mover said that now was the time for the Church to show its sympathy with the people in the_ fight against profiteering and other social evils. The motion was passed unanimously, and the Sunday prior to Labour Day was set aside for the purpose mentioned.

The< following' motion was also carried: — " Being convinced that the present indus-trial-unrest is largely the outcome of longdontiniied uniust and oppressive economic conditions, which are contrary to the nrinciples of Christianity, and which have borne most hardly on the workers, the conference earnestly recommends to the members of our churches a systematic and sympathetic study of the present ..conditions of life in order'.to come to soipe. iust and effective solution of the problem Tin a better understanding between employer and employed, and closer co-operation for their mutual benefit and contentment. To that end the conference further reßSmmends that at least once quarterly addresses shall be delivered in all churches on a''pressing- industrial qxiestion.' and that 1 circuits be urged to discuss the various industrial nroblems at their evening meeting ; also 'that whenever opportunity arises quarterly meetings and synods should demonstrate their practical sympathy with 'Labour bv supporting: iust claims for improved conditions. The conference is of the opinion that a solution of the industrial unrest, can be found only as the Principles of Christianity are uncompromisingly applied to commercial, social, and individual relationships.