METHODIST CHURCH.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16156, 9 March 1918, Page 4

METHODIST CHURCH.

» 1 ANNUAL CON KERENCE. j The Methodist Conference at Dunedin en Thursday discussed the question of free speech in politics, as related to the recent attacks made upon two clergymen in the North Island. Alter a speech by the Rev Mr Ready, the conference, without further comment, unanimously resolved: "That this Conference note with j-utislaction tile exprcshed determination oi the Minister ot Justice to prevent any improper mtenerence wim the principles or irec specch in politico anu religion, and to uring to justice any persons guilty of any "attempt to lutciiere wuti tnoso liberties." Mr Keaay expressed the nope that the tune would never come in this Dominion when we wou.il Have to light military Romanism with military Protestantism. - 'l he following chairmen ol Synodical districts wore elected: —Auckland, Iter. Mr Bcllhousc; South Auckland, Rev. Mr Dukes; Taranaki-Wanganui, Row Mr Sinclair; Hawko's Bay-Mana-watu, Rev. Mr Richards; Wellington, Rev. Mr Drake; Nelson, Rev. Mr Roth well; North Canterbury, Rev. A. C. Lawry; South Canterbury, Rev Mr Joughin: Otago, Rev. Mr Griffith; .Southland, Rev. Mr Peters. The question of sending regular monthly allowances to chaplains was referred to the Wollington Military Committee. Tho next confcrcnce was fixed to oneii in Chrislchurch on February 27th, IDI9. •It was decided lo appoint a chaplain to returned soldiers in each of the chief centres, and that ministers, wherever possible, should get into touch with returned men. .The Board of Management supernumerary fund showed a balance of £92.344 at the end of 1917. Last year the working expenses were 7 percent. of the income. The cr<nnexia! secretary reported thai owing to the war the erection of new buildings and the carrying out «f large alterations had neariv cease il. but debt reduction was being assiduously pursued. During the year £12$/) was lent from the gen oral fund, and £659 from the special fnnd. The church jiroperty report showed that_tho Trust income amounted to £44.706. and the total expenditure -vas £oOD2. The total indebtedness to trie loan fund and on other securities v. as ':lll,7l.:i. being a reduction of £4~7'3 during the yeaiv Tho net debit oalances brought the debt to £117,205. The Conference was concluded yesterday, domestic matters only being dealt with. Between fifty and sixty of the visiting delegates left Du»edin for their homes yesterday. THE QUESTION OF MILITARY SERVICE. At the sitting of Conference on Wednesday night, the Rev. W. A. Sinclair (New I'iymouth) moved: ''That in the case of any unmarried minister desiring to enlist, no objection be offered by the president, except in such urgent cases as may be decided upon by him and his Committee ot Advice." The Rev. T. G. Brooke (Auckland) said he thought a n appeal ought to be put in for every man who was callcd up. They had reachcd tho point when tuey coula no longer give up any of their men, and he would move as an amendment: 'That the president make an appeal for all riiinistcrs and home missionaries who may be called U P\.' The- Rev. S. Lawry (Christcliurch) said they must consider the interests of the church, and there were places which could not be filled in a satisfactory manner. Tho Rev. H. L. I!!amircs, a returned chaplain, said he thought the returned chaplaias were of opinion that no harrier should bo placed in the way of any tingle man who wished to serve his country at the front. They knew it was difficult to carry on the church work in some places, inasmuch as soma of tho single men, from the tim.s or the Main Body right on, had buoy ollcririg their services, and making sacrifices to do it. lie did not think they had reached tho irreducible minimum so long as they had local preachers and business men who would hold tlie forts in some of the citeuiu until the war was over. Their lirst, business was to win the war. No matter what the position of the Marisfc Brothers or t-lio "lied Feds/' might !»\ the chinch roust set :ai example oi patriotism. 'That- was the opinion of .ill, whether officers chaplains, or men, who had open the front. Mr L. A. Whito (Blenheim) said that many local preachers would be called up, and thi; church would have no opportunity to appeal for them. They should look at the matter not only from a patriotic point of view but also from a home point of view. There were 33 stations without preachers, which was a serious matter, and as ope who had to go to the war —not because he wanted it, but because his country had called him —he would be anxious to know that the places at home were not being wilfully neglected. The Rev. Mr Walker, another returned chaplain, said he believed that that Church would become the most fruitful which had the largest number of its ministers at the front. He did not think it was necessary to discuss a motion that concerned only three men. ' *, The Rev. W. A. Sinclair expressed the view that the irreducible minimum had been reached, so far as their staff was concerned. There were 33 vacant places, and the four men whom the motion concerned were in such places that no possible supply could be sent there instead of them. The amendment was lost bv 57 to 52. Mr E. Dixon (Hawcra) moved as an amendment, '"That the President >

of the Conference give his consent to ail single men who desire to enlist." He wisned to enter his protest against i the Church's ministers going on behalf jof the Y.M.C.A. There ivcre many young men in the churches who would "make" better secretaries than some of the nun is tors who had gone, and these ministers would have been in a position to take up the work of the young men who, he thought, should t>s> allowed to go. He felt thev had not reached that stage of sacrifice which unhappily would have to be reached before victory was achieved. It was a kindness to the men to allow them to go. It was not fair to have them in positions in which they would bo open to the remarks of their congregations. The Rev. E. J. Murray (Hutt) seconded the amendment. Mr E. Rosevear said he thought the Church should not send th<i men away. If ever there was need for spiritual work in New Zealand it was at the present juncture. The church hacl already suffered by allowing men 1 to go. The amendment was lost by 7S to 42. The motion was carried by an overwhelming majority, only a few voices being raised against ifc. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair reported that, in his dealings with the military authorities during .the past year, he had met with nothing else but eourtehv. and in practically every instance the" desires of the Church authorities had been acceded to. He particularly mentioned the sympathy and help he had obtained from Sir James Allen in connexion with different matters. SUNDAY TRADING IN MARBLE BARS. At Thursday's sitting a letter from the assistant -secretary of the Hotel Employees' Union to a member of the Conference was read. The writer referred to the epiestion of Sunday trading in marble bars, and said the Union would try to aiTange its protest to the Govern- . ment so that any action by the Conference could also be brought at the time. ; The Rev. F. W. Boys (Palmerston , North) moved: —"That in view of the decision of the Chief Justice respecting Sundav trading in marble bars, this Conference urges the Minister of .Tusticc to see that the Act be so amended as to clow* these premises upon the Sabbath dav." . The Rev. Mr Jordan (Wellington district) said he thought the Conference might also appoint a deputation. i The Rev. J. W. Haslam (Palmerston North) said that the marble bars were not a great menace from the health point of view, bnt as a matter of fair play all round the. Conference should offer its protest against a, growing evil, and see that these bars were closed as well as hotel bars. Mr J. Hayman (Waimate) said he understood that in Dunedin young people were in the habit of making pleasure parties on the harbour on Sundays, and owing to the fact that, refreshment bars of this kind, were open, these young people did not come home for meals, and were not seen from morning till night. The Rev. W. J. Elliott (Devonport) said that surely the Conference was not going to protest against persons who felt inclined to go out for fresh air, exorcise, and a little amusement on Sunday obtaining refreshments. Mr A. J. Williams (Christcliurch): The point in my opinion is tho curtailment of Sunday labour a.s far as possible.

The Rev. T. G. Hammond (Maori missionary) said that people who wanted pleasure snotild not have it at the expense of other people. The Rev. 3>. McNicholl (Auckland) said that in tho interests of the workers, who were appealing to them, Confcrnce ought to take a stand. He was shocked

to hear the views of his friend, Mr Elliott. If people went for pleasure 011 Sunday at the expense of other people, Conference ought to object. They must object to the employment of hundreds of people to cart these pleasure-seekers on Sundav picnics. The motion was carried, only the Rev. Mr Elliott voting against- itIt was further resolved to make representations to the Minister by deputation.