METHODIST CHURCH.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16154, 7 March 1918, Page 7

METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

(press association telegrams.)

DUNEDIN, March 6. At the Methodist Conference to-day

a report was presented of the Welling-

ton Methodist Educational Trust. The value of the trust is £13,549. The trustees reported having bought land at Masterton for £1721, for an or-

phanage. Conference recommended, pending building operations on the new site, that the trust be advised to secure a temporary building in or about Masterton to start an orphanage. Of £15,000 to be raised for foreign missions, £9.00 was allocated to the general fund, £3000 to the New Zealand working capital fund, and the balance to the suspense account, to be used by the Australian board after approval by New Zealand.

The foreign mission executive reported that a valuable property in Auckland had been presented for the benefit of the mission, and was at prosent let at £3 per week. The donor also gave £200 to cover the transfer. It was resolved that a great effort to raise money for foreign missions be inaugurated by special meetings for prayer in all circuits, and hogie mission stations.

A committee was set up to consider a method whereby more 'worK and responsibility could be given to district Synods, thus lessening the work of Conference.

It was decided that ministerial probationers on active service who had ser/ed four or more years of their probation, should be eligible for reception into lull connexion and ordination, subject to satisfactory reports by chaplains regarding their character and conduct and subject to any necessary conditions pertaining to post-ordina-tion examinations.

It was decidcd that in the case of any unmarried minister desiring to enlist, no objection should be offered by the president, except in such urgent cases as might be decided by liim :-nd the Committee of Advice.

It was reported that the Rev. J. A. Luxford, chaplain to the Forces, strongly urged the appointment of a chaplain for Egypt. The matter will go before a committee. The Home Missions Committee recommended a modified scheme for an abridged course of study, whereby those manifesting educational fitness, capacity to study, ability to teach, ajid aptitude in the conduct of circuit affairs might receive admission to the ministry. Conference decided to appeal to Methodists to raise the gross annual income of the Home Mission Fund to £10,500; that all grants to aided circuits, city missions excepted, and home mission stations be made, with, a view of assisting them to pay a minimum stipend of £225 to married ministers, £160 to married home missionaries, £140 to probationers, and £120 to unmarried homo missionaries.

Tho question of the designation of a, successor to the Rev. Mr Hammond, general superintendent of the Maori Missions, was referred to the Home Mission Executive, with instructions to consider the possibility of amalgamating the positions of principalship of tho Three Kings College with tho general superintendency of the Maori Missions. Tho question of Maori representation in the Synod and Conference was remitted to the Home Mission Executive. The Young People's Department report showed 422 Sunday schools, 3162 teachers, and 27,035 scholars, an increase of four schools, 3-1 teachors, and 252 scholars.

Tho matter of celebrating the centenary of the Church's operations in New Zealand was roferred to a largo Auckland committee.

Tho matter of Church union or federation with, other Churcheswas referred to the Committee on Privileges, stationed in Wellington. A scheme for giving aid during the war to supcrnuniary ministers whose incomes are exceedingly small was adopted. Mr Stevenson (Wanganui) undertook to put tho scheme in operation during tho year. THE ASSAULT ON CLERGYMEN AT FEILDING. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.")

' DUNEDIN, March 0. At this morning's session of the Methodist Conference. the Rev. W. Ready, a returned chaplain, moved-—-"That this conference desire to plac.s on record their high appreciation of the pron.pt and just action of tho Minister of Justice in giving instructions that those men who had attacked clergymen in tho dark after a public mooting should be brought before tho Supreme Court of Justice. They trust also that in fairness to our liberty of specch of politics and religion, the men guilty of such mean and dastardly conduct, whatever their creed or politics may be, shall be taught a wholesome lesson in British fair play by the law of the land." Mr Ready said lie was neither an Orangeman njr a member of the Protestant Political Association, but The Rev. W. J. Elliott (Devonport) interrupted to say that the matter was at present sub judice and not. competent for discussion.

The Rev. Mr Ready said tho ease was not settled. There might be six or seven or eight men concerned. All they knew was that two mon had been arrested.

A member suggested that the conference should go into committee. Mr Ready: I do not want to go into committee; I want it known that while I am not an Orangeman or a member of the Protestant Allianco I cannot stand conduct of the kind.

The chairman (the Rev. S. Lawry): I think _we .should go into committtu until we decide our position. Mr Ready: If we go into committee I will ask permission to withdraw the motion. If it cannot be discussed in open conference, I will discuss it on the platform and in the pulpit wherever I can. (Applause.) Conference decided to go into committee, and it was understood that the motion would be re-drafted by the mover, with the assistance of a solicitor and a pressman who are members of Conference.