PRIMITIVE METHODISM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2763, 15 January 1895, Page 4

PRIMITIVE METHODISM.

Wellington, Jan. 12. On Thursday morning the retiring president delivered an address. The annual financial report showed that the trust properties in New Zealand were in a sound healthy condition, there being 52 chapels, an increase of 5 for the year. Their cost, with enlargements, is set down at £26,571). During the year £2987 was paid off the debt, leaving the present debt at £5290. The total income of the past year was £2889, and the expenditure £2862. There are 15 parsonages and cottages, which cost £3833, the present debt upon which is £961. The total value of church properties in New Zealand district, taking the original cost, with enlargements, is £30,412 being an increase of £1844 for the year, whilst the total present debt is £6252. In his address the Rev. 0, Ward, retiring president, said that it was his duty and privilege to address the second conference of the Church in New Zealand, being the 23rd annual assembly of the primitive Methodist connexion in this colony.' They met as a conference of Christian workers, ministers and laymen, upon absolute equality, and moreover admitted women on an equal footing, giving them voice and vote on every question. During the past year two young ministers the Rev. S. Henderson and the Rev. G. H. Mann, hnd made a favourable impression in the pulpit and on the platform, and be wished ttienj each a long, happy, and successful ministry. Speaking on <he education question Mr Ward said that they did not want a denominational or sectarian system supported by tbe Government. He had little sympathy with the cry of *' godless schools,” echoed so frequently iu certain quarters. The schools were not godless, and they aimed at a proper development of the physical, mental, and moral conditions of the children. In the public schools the chasm between rich and poor was filling up, and race distinctions were forgotten. Mr Ward also spoke on the subject of gambling, and said that the racecourses had become little better than moral cesspools in which vulgarity and rascality collected in poisonous masses.

On Friday a deputation from the Wosjeyan Conference waited on the Primitive Methodist Conference, and urged the union of the two Churches. Several of the deputation spoke of the great good that would result from union. The Bev. C. B. Ward, replying for the Primitive Methodist Conference, said that if the union did take place, it ought to be for New Zealand, and take the form of a Methodist Church distinct from Australia, but any united Church must have a democratic spirit, and allow laymen to have a voice on all matters pertaining to the Church.

A deputation from the New Zealand*’, Alliance also waited oh the conference, and asked their sympathy and support. Several l of the speakers said that the liquor traffic was doomed, and the people would rise and strike it a fatal blow at the next election. Jan. 12.

At the Primitive Methodist Conference this morning the following resolution was proposed:—“ That while we sincerely appreciate the courtesy with which our brethren of the Wesleyan General Conference hare discussed the question of Methodist Union, yet we resolve that we do not see our way to accept Union on the basis offered, the concessions made by them being small, while the sacrifices required from ns include the exclusion of laymen from the questions of reception, ordination, final stationing and the superannuation of Ministers, it being directly opposed to our church polity that a layman is ineligible for a seat on any of our Church Courts.” This resolution was carried by 49 votes, the whole of the delegates present voting in its favour. The following resolutions were also carried:—“That in the opinion of this Conference any union of the Methodist churches in this colony which will meet with the hearty support of our people should be upon the lines of a basis similar to that of 1883 ” ; “ That this Conference place upon record its high appreciation of the Christian courtesy shown by the deputation of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in their addresses to ns upon the question of Methodist union, and trust that the kindly spirit evinced by them and heartily reciprocated by us may ever continue.”

AUSTRALIAN HARVEST. Sydney, January 12, The area under English barley is greatly in excess of last yearns area. The estimated yield is 975,000 bushels, the average being 15 bushels to the acre. In regard to feed barley nearly the whole of which is of the Cape variety, it is anticipated that the yield will amount to 250,000 bushels, at an average of 24 bushels to the acre. Melbourne, January 12. Some time ago a number of wheat producers in this colony despatched a delegate to the United States to gather information as to the wheat export trade and cognate matters. They have just received a report from him in which he states that he sees no real difficulty in the way of bulk shipments of wheat being sent to America at a profit. The inven tor of the new whaleback ships, now engaged in conveying wheat to England, assured the delegate that his ships could take the bulk of the grain on any voyage without the necessity of an increase in the insurance risk. The company controlling this method of transportation will consider a suggestion made by the delegate that they will secure almost a monopoly of the Australian wheat trade if they carry bulk cargoes at reasonable rates. If such vessels are procured he suggests the erection of elevators in Melbourne and Geelong. The report adds that jthe Victorian farmers have so far weathered the storm of low prices better than the American or Canadian farmers, and declares that with proper development they possess advantages which place them far ahead of them.

The Leader, in reviewing the oat and hay crops, says that the oat crop is a fairly good one in most districts, and really fine crops have been harvested in portions of the northern districts. The crop is estimated at 6,000,000 bushels, or 25 bushels to the acre. The hay yield will be about 625,000 tons or tons per acre. Complaints, however, are made of the dirty character of the crops this year, which prejudices the market value of the grain.