WESLEY AN CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6124, 10 March 1898, Page 4

WESLEY AN CONFERENCE.

V — : [Pbr Pbess Association.] DUNEDIN, March 9. At to-day'a meeting of the Wesleyan • Conference, the Conference recorded its • -unaltsred conviction that the drink traffic i 3 the cause of untold misery, and urged . upon the members and adherents of the Church by precept and example to do all in their power to secure its abolition. It was . also resolved that in the judgment of the • .Conference it is, desirable that in connection with tho commencement of the twentieth century steps should be taken to raise fund of .£50,000 for the consolidation and extension of the Church in New . Zealand; such fund to supply in the first . '• instance a special grant of say £300 per .annum for the next three years towards ■ the current expenditure, and to set aside „ ''from such fund a further sum' for invest- ■ ment on behalf of the Home Mission Fund, or .a special help branch of the same, a further fortion of the fund to be applied '' to the extinction of all interest bearing • -trust debts, and such other objects in connection with the extension of the Church • • as the Conference may determine. It was . • decided to hold the next Conference at Christchurch in February, 1899. At- the evening sitting Eapata Tapu ; - ; Potiki wa3 accepted as a candidate for the Native ministry, and it was resolved to ask the Probert trustees to vote .£2O towards . his support. It was resolved — "That in connection with the widespread evil of gambling throughout the colony, it is highly inexpedient that any church should have permission from tho Government, to ■ hold raffle 3, lotteries or art unions, and the Conference respectfully desires the Government to consider the advisability of revoking the law which empowers the Colonial Secretary to grant such permission." On .the motion of the EevT. N. Griffin it was resolved — "That the Conference repeats its earnest plea for the introduction of Scripture reading into the State schools, and pledges itself to do all in its power to secure this as necessary to the perfecting of the excellent State system of education." A motion was carried congratulating the Otago Presbyterian Church on the attainment of its jubilee, and assuring it of fraternal co-operation and sympathy in all its ministrations. The Conference expressed hearty sympathy with the endeavour to secure to the people of the colony the Sabbath as a day of rest, and cordial approval of the action, of the Minister of Mines in his determination to enforce the law upon this subject, thereby protecting gold-miners at the Upper Thames from unnecessary Sunday labour. Votes of thanks were passed, and" the Conference concluded its sittings.