AUSTRALIAN METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12187, 7 June 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Fijian Affair*.

Press Association.— Telegraph.— Copyright. Received June 7, 9.59 a.m. SYDNEY, June (5. The (oulerenc-r huther di-wunaed the question of lay representation in Fiji. The Rev Garland (N.Z.) maintained that lay representation gave a preponderance of power to the native vote. The Keys. Woollu and Eutledge urged that it would be unwise to hand over such great questions. Granted that power, the nativt* would probably desire to go still tarther and might start a rebellion or excesaion it proposals carried there were negatived here. The lfev Kobson (New South Wales) warned the Conference that if they were »ot very careful they would lose the Fiji«m Church altogether. Dr Urown eaid that the only way they could save the Fiji mission was to make the church in Fiji a church of chiefs and people, not a church of missionaries. One of the greatest anxieties the Rev Small had iv Fiji was tho troo church. Its influence was spreading. It only wanted a chief of some importance to place himself at the head of the discontended natives aud they would have the Tonga experience repeated in Fiji. No greater nliir could be cast on Fiji than to say that out of its people, among whom they had been lalwuring for 70 years, and from whom the Government took its civil servants, Magistrates, and doctors, there was not a solitary layman in each circuit lit to take his place in the financial district synod, aud have a voice in dividing his own mouey. The talk of the preponderance of the native vote was a bogey. Dr Brown's motion, that the principle of lay representation be put into operation ih the Fiji Synod of 1908, was carried with a. few dissentients. SYDNEY, June 7. The Methodist Conference decided to insert in the book of laws- a resolution warning members and adherents of the Church to abstain entirely from dancing,' theatre-going and other questionable amusements in view of the great moral and spiritual peril attaching thereto. The Conference adopted a recommendation trom the New Zealand Conference in favour of authorising home missionaries, or other persons ot good standing and character, to administer the Sacraments ;u Home Mission districts.