METHODIST CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11947, 5 March 1917, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The business sessions of the Methodist Conference were continued at Wellington, the Rev W. A. Sinclair (president) occupying th© chair. LOCAL PREACHERS. The following matters in connection with local poachers were referred to a committee :-(l) The best metfaoa ot securing capable men to take up tne work of local preaching; (2) making provision under the direction of conference for the study oi. citable subjects wich a view Lo securing gieater cf. ficiencv in th<, work; (3) making provision for the. payment of out of pocket expense, incurred in travelling to and from appointments to all local preachers; (4 making legal and encouraging united preachers' meeting*, such meet-n-s to V empowered to rcter rcatteis of discipline to the quarterly meetings concerned; (5, the feasibility of grant direct representation to local preachers at Synod and conterence; (6) the possibility of establishing a fund to assist local preachers m old age and infirmity: (7) to report on ay matter that in the committees judgment would assist the local preachers in their work.

PICTURE CENSORSHIP. The following reconsti-acted motion regarding the eensor.hip of p.ctuies ™, unanimously adopted:--That this conference regards with satisfaction tne appointment of a Government censor of picture fihr*, . but regret* that photoplays containHig suggestive and vulgar scenes continue to be creened at, many of our picture theatres, to the moral detriment of therommunitv, the evil bring intensified in manv instances by the screened an- ' ■- «reeedinff tho VaHOUS nonncniieiv-s prtceaing mtparts of th, film ; and this conference lUes not only a stricter censorship ;!!%W -A-nerts. but also respectfully orings'iiiiuer the notice- of the GovernmVnt th-3 necessity for extending the powers of the consor & hip, so that aU newspaper and postor advertisements of pictures and other plays will come within its scope.",

POCTAL PURITY. n 0 purity, the following motion"«-as proposed : » That tlus conference express its appreciation of the earrip-u effort of the Hon (, V. Rmssoll to deal with the dangers o, von.mil disoure. and commends t-ho booklet i««M by the IM.nce Department and fno instruction given to our voun- men in the military training camp* Cnnferev.ce urges our nuuistlr to atT.uaini- themselves with the acts so tint they may speak with mihornv ir wnrnuig young men against the Manser.; and consequences of the sins of immorality. This W as cnriied unanimously.

STATIONS. The final draft of stations for thr> Canterbury district was as iol-

10 North Canterbury. - Christehurch (Durham Street), P N. Knight, 8.A., H Bull (sup.), J- A. Luxfordi (sup), onnexional s f; cretary and authorised representative. P. Laivry; I>urhnm Street South, one wanted; OUristrluireh East.E. P. Manures, Arthur I-iverwlpp, a homo missionary, K. Tavlor fsup.l, W. O. Oliver (sup.), A. -vJi'trhell (chaohiin to Expeditionary Forces), W. Groig (chaplain .o the Forces); Christchurch (Canilmdgo Terrace), J. Cocker, C. E. Ward Tsuph Christchurch (Uoolston), J. Copland, W. J. Wflliams (sun); Christchurch (Sydenham), W. Beckett; Christchurch (Addington), T. >V. Vealic and a. homo missionary; ChnstchurchMSt Albans), A. 0. Lawry, one wanted,'T. Fee (sup.); Chnstthurcn (Popanui), 0. Aberncthy, a homo missionary; Lvttelton. J. E. Parsons; Snringston. W. Brainwell Sco+t; Tai Tapu,' B. Mcrtson; Leeston, TS'. Laycock, a home missionary Jsiipply); Kaiapei, P. AY. Fairclough, F.R.A.S-; Ohoka. "W.. W. Avery; Rangiora., J. Guv. 'W. P.owe; Grcondalo flnd Malvern. J. Harris and a homo mishinnary. Hawarden. a home raissionarv: Oxford, n. homo missionary. South Canterbury.—Tiniaru (Bank Streeth T. A. Joughin,'" J. Dennis, J. H. Sullivan (ch:iplain with the Expeditionary Forces): Timaru (Woodlands Street). R. J. Lid doll : Waimate, A. N. Seottcr. B.A. : Temuka (King Street). J. W. Griffin and a home missionary ; South Island Maori Mission, Rakena Piripi; Geraldine, G. P. Muni: Ashburton, G. Frost and one, wanted; Willowby, W. J. Oxbrow; On7)1 aru', .7. A. Lochoro; :>. home missionary ; Mayfield, a homo n-i?sionary.

[Fkou Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON. March 3.

hi the final draft of stations the following alterations have been made in Canterbury :—-The Rev F. Copelaud (returned missionary) to Woolston; Rev W. Beckett to Sydenham; Rev W. Howe, second minister in the Rangiora Circuit: The Rev N Turner moves fiom Durham Street South to Johnsonville. The conference has recommended that Durham Street South should be joined ro the Cambridge Terrace Circuit, and High Street, Christchurch, to the Sydenham Circuit.