METHODIST SYNOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1923, Page 7

METHODIST SYNOD.

MEETING AT ELTIIAM. BUSINESS CONCLUDES. The Taranaki-Wanganui Synod concluded its busineeis on Thursday evening. The home mission policy set forth by the general superintendent was presented by the Rev. W. J- Elliott,, and on his motion considerable reductions were made in the Home Mission grants. The estimated income from the Aarious circuits was increased above last year’s, and accepted by the Synod. The chairman intimated that two or three distinguished representatives of the British Methodist Conference would be visiting New Zealand at an early date. It was resolved: “This Synod hails with unfeigned gratification and interest the forthcoming visit to New Zealand of the Rev. J. Sharp, ex-president of the British Wesleyan Conference, and Sir John S. Randles, M.P., respectfully assures them of a liiost cordial welcome and expresses the hope that their visit will be productive of much pleasure to themselves and profit to the social, moral, and spiritual welfare of the Church.” As the chairman 1 , the Rev. W. Grigg, will be leaving the district at the end of tb.e connexional year, the Rev. W T . J. Elliott, on behalf of the members of the 'Synod, presented him with a gold-mounted fountain pen as a small token of esteem, and moved the following resolution: “That the cordial thanks of the Synod be presented to rhe Rev. W. Grigg, for the courteous and efficient manner in which he has discharged hie duties during his term of office.” The Rev. W. Grigg suitably replied, and before the rising Synod he moved a cordial vote of thanks to tffe host and hostesses, the secretaries and the Press, which was unanimously endorsed by the Synod. It was resolved to nominate the Rev. W. W- Avery as the secretary of Synod for 1924, and to hold the Synod in Stratford. THE LIQUOR QUESTION. Tn connection with the liquor question the following resolutions were adopted: “Whereas intoxicating beverages are admitted to be destructive to man’s moral and intellectual faculties, and have been openly condemned by the president of the British Medical Arsoc’ation as agents of death and loathsi me disease, this Synod urges the ministers and members of the Methodist Church to ■continrw with unremitting zeal the struggle for the abolition of the liquor traffic in New Zealand.”

“Whereas the people have on three occasions by a majority of votes condemned the continuance of the liquor trattic in New Zealand, and “Whereas the issue of State purchase and control of the liquor traffic has twice failed to secure more than 6 per cent, of votes, and “Whereas the proposed substitution of ‘Corporate Control’ in place of ‘State Purchase’ on the ballot paper involves the making of the Government an active partner in the liquor traffic, and will in any event prevent a clear expression of the people’s will as be- ’ ♦ween Prohibition and Continuance.

“Therefore this Synod respoctfully urges the Government to decline any partnership in a traffic internationally recognised as economically, socially, and morally injurious and to atfi-rd tin? people of this Dominion a fair opportunity of voting on the clear-cut issues of Prohibition and Continuance-” The Synod further records its emphatic protest against the unworthy efforts made by interested parties to induce the Government to discard dishonourably the solemn pact made in 1884, whereby it was agreed that no licenses should be granted in the King Country, and begs the Government to protect the "Maori race by continuing the observance of the covenant then made.

The Synod further places on record its opinion that the expressed will of «the people, being against the continuince of the liquor traffic, any legislation increasing facilities for drinking or the expansion of the liquor traffic will constitute a betrayal of the people’s trust.