METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 449, 6 March 1909, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

SEPARATION FROM AUSTRALIA DISCUSSED. THE NO,LICENSE QUESTION. Yesterday was ii busy day at tho Methodist Conforenco, tho question of separation from Australia occupying tho greater part of tho afternoon session. The conference, which was presided, over by tho Rov, Thos. Foo, decided to refer tho question! of soparation to tho Juno quarterly meetings. Reports brought , down includod those on tho NoLicense question, on military and naval affairs, on tho Deaconesses' Training Institution, and on tho immigration of Mothodiota. Resolutions wero adopted in regard to the secularisation of the Sabbath, tho legalisation of the totalisator, and tho Gambling ovil as connected with billiard saloons. It was resolved that a deputation wait upon tho Prime Minister in regard to tho last-named. Tho Rov. C. H. Laws reported that there was a possibility of Gypsy Smith, tho .ovangelist, visiting New Zealand next year. It was decided to celebrate tho bi-centonary of Charles Wesloy on Whit Sunday. In tho evening a vory successful missionary gathering was held. . .. SEPARATION FROM AUSTRALIA. The quostion of separation from Australia, expressed ns "an independent conference for Now Zealand," wa3 considered at length. The motion, submitted by tho Eov. S. Lawry (secretary to the conference), consisted of three parts, which woro dealt ■with separately. Tho first part, on which tho' discussion "hinged, was as follows: — 1. That the following onestion bo suhmitted to the next June quarterly meeting of each circuit in tho Dominion:—"Aro the members of this quarterly meeting in favour of an independent conForonco for New Zealand, subject to a satisfactory working,scheme being submitted to the forthcoming district synods and conferenco?" Tho motion dealt mainly with the question of submitting the question to tho quarterly meeting, but in the course of argument many of tho speakers left the main point end spoke on the general one of separation./ In speaking in favour of the motion, Mr. Lawry said that it did not commit them to anything at all. It merely gave them the authority to obtain the opinion of the quarterly meetings, and afterwards to deal B-ith tho matter in.accordance with the opinions of those bodies. If the quarterly meetings rejected it, 'the conference would also roject : . it. They had tried to settle the question before now, and ho had come to the conclusion that the only way in which » final conclusion could bo arrived at was by submitting it to the most representative body in their cKureh-ythe quarterly meetings. . Ho himself was quite willing to abide by tho decision of the quarterly meetings. Then ( the Primitive Methodists had agrsed to consider tho question of union with tho Tonfor.enco if the latter could do so unhampered by a possible veto from Australia. He was not going into tho matter whether union was cjesirable qr not —that was apart from tho question; but he maintained that they should give tho people of Neiv Zealand tho chance of saying whether, they would consider the question. New .Zealand had Tefused to 'federate politically with Australia, and by the change of namo recently had practioally intimated that tho refusal was final, thereforo ho thought the tendency in. tho future would bo to make New Zealand moro and moro independent of Australia. •'■ ••

Mr. J. A. Ffesher seconded the motion. Tho motion, ho held, was essentially ono for a referendum—for submission to the people as a whole; It .was high time that something should be don'o, for the question had not been' submitted to r the people in this form for about 25 y&irs.' The Rev. H. Bull asked how were they going to trust their people if they did not reveal.ta thorn what tho.conference intended to do;inthe matter. It was a policy of "open your mouth and shut your eyes and Bee what I will give you." He did not think they were going about tho matter in tho right way. As an amendment he moved:—

" That the synod recommendations, together with any other suggestions that may arise on the subject of an independent conferenco for New' Zealand, bo referred to a special committee for consideration, and report to the present conference.". ■

The amendment iwas seconded by the Rev, T. ~N. Grilh'n. Ho sided with previous speakers who had expressed a desire for democratic action and procedure, but' lie held tljat they should trust the people 'properly, and submit conditions to the quarterly meetings, If a decision to separate was arrived at it should bo a wise and intelligent decision. The peoplo should know how the conclusion they oame to would affect the conditions prevalent in Now' Zealand. Mr. T. Allen confined, his arguments against tho motion to tho question of Primitive Methodist Union. Hβ said that over in Australia the. Primitive Methodists wore strongly in favour of union, and yet they had to separate from Australia in ordor to obtain union with the Primitive Methodists. . "I shall oppose Mr. Lawry's motion," said ,tho R-ev. C. H. Garland, ""because it is wholly, inadequate." He went on to say that, there, was nothing to bo snbraitted to the quarterly meetings. Thoy were asked to Bay if they were in favour of an independent conference for New Zealand "subject to a satisfactory working scheme being submitted to the forthcoming district synods and conference." .They-were! asked to approve a «ssM«.t»n. of which other bodies wero to fix the conditions. He held that they slionM submit.tho question and the conditions to the samo body or bodies. Mr. E H. Penny, who supported the motion, argued that tho question should be submitted to tho quarterly meetings at once. Now Zealand, ho felt sure, would produce a race, entirely different from that ofAustralia. Tho Rev. J. J, Lewis supported the principle, of tho motion. Ho thought that New Zealand was destined to bo an independent oountry; but, though ho desired the quostion to be submitted to the quarterly meetings;, ho held that the conditions should bo submitted as well. A part of the question to bo considered was tho manner in which it would affect the South Sea mission work. Ho held that the people should not be loft in the dark as to what their decision would involve. . Tho Rev. T. Trestraill did not believe that New Zealand was to be independent in its actions in he future. By-and-by they would have a political federation with Australia. (Never.) In replying, Mr. Lawry said the quarterly meetings wero,not quite such novices in tin's question ns thoy were made out to be. People had come to him voluntarily to set him to move in the matter. He was quite willing to trust the peoplo, and would be willing to tako his share in drawing up conditions for submission. Besides, the district synods and conference wero practically the samo bodies as tho quarterly meetings. It was tho general thing to submit details to a representative body after a plebiscite had been taken on the general principle. Several speakers had deplored tne introduction of the Primitive Methodists into the question. Ho was not ashamed of tho manner in which he had made tho reference. Tho Primitive Methodists had not asked tho conference to unite with them —to accent their conditions. They had meroly asked for a "condition precedent" so that tho conference might be free to negotiate. The -voting oil Mr. Bull's amendment was: for the amendment, 48; against, 70. The amendment' was lost. Mr. Lawry's motion was then carried on the voices. The socond portion of the motion was also carried on the voices. It road as follows: — That returns'be furnished to tho president of the conference not later than July 31, 1009, stating tho (1) numbers prc-Goiit; (2) tho numbors voting in the affirmative; (3) tho numbers voting in the negative. On tho third part of the motion'there was some discussion. Mr. Lawry said that he was preparml to recrivo an amendment such as had been suggested in tho earlier

'part of tho dobato. Tho original draft read as. follows: — "That should a majority bo found m tho affirmative, a committee shall, draw up a working soheme, for submission to tho District Synods, which shall report their findings, with any suggested i amendments, to the confermico of IJIU, tio following to: bo tho committee:—llio president and secretary of tho conference, tho connexional secretary, «»">? te , rB , ™ tho Durham Street, East Bolt, Wooston, St. Albans. Papnmii, Sydenham, Addiiigton, and Lyttelton Churches, Messrs. A. F. Drayton, J. A. «• Soed, C. E. Sattor, J. C.Pnidhoo, 11. H. Turner, J. L. Scott, P. n>W»> W. Dallev, B. M. Cresswell, and Hon. G. J. Smith (Rev. S. Lawry convenor) Tho Rev. J. J. Lewis suggested the following amendment, which was accepted uj JUr. aW ''That the committee prcparo a working scheme for submission to the Juno quarterly meetings and tho district At"this a question was asked wn quarterly meetings were to be allowed to amend tho conditions submitted.or whethei they would only bo allowed to give a yes or So" answer. If they allowed amendnients to bo mado thoro would- ho a Hugo task for tho conferenco. This difficulty was got over by an *™>™- merit suggested by Mr F esher, and fina y tho motion was carried m the following form :— "That tho committee shall draw up a . working scheme for submission to tho ■ Juno quarterly meetings, which shall report their findings with any suggested amendments to the forthcoming district Synods, who in turn shall report to tho conference of 1910. The committee to be α-s in the original motion.

TRAINING OF DEACONESSES.

Tho Rov. H. R. Dewsbury presented the first annual report on the work of tho Methodist Training Institution for Deacmesses. Tho report showed that tho work ot tho institution was commenced on January 6, 1908, and that tho indications wero that it would in tho future- provo a very valuable and important contribution to the working forces of tho Methodist Church. The doaooncsscs' house was a commodious and wellbuilt residence, and had proved very suitable for the purposes of the institute. In iho matter of probationers the year had bsen marked by a series of disappointments from various causes. There were now vacancies for two additional probationers, and it was desirable that thess vacancies bo filled at tho earliest date possible, It had not been found necessary to apply for tho £100 allocated from tlio Homo Mission Fund, but tho committee requested that it bo placed on tho estimates for tho ensuing year, so as to bo available if required. Jn accordance With rule, Messrs. C. E. Salter and A. F. Drayton retired from tho committee, and Messrs. A, Williams and tho Hon. G. J. Smith, M.L.C., were nominated to fill the vacancies. It was requested that tho name of tho connexional secretary bo added to the committee The report was adopted.

CHURCH AND UNEMPLOYED. Notice of motion was given by tho Rov. H. L. Blarairee, as follows:— "That this conference ospresses its sym- . pathy with tho employable unemployed, ■ and urges tho Government to toko steps to discontinue the undue importation of such classes of immigrants as will bo calculated to throw out of employment ■ those already employed in tho Dominion." ' THE EVIL OF BILLIARD SALOONS. A motion dealing wijh billiard saloons and tho gambling evil was brought forward by Mr. Holdsworth. Mr. Holdsworth said that .under the present regulations a- billiard saloon "must bo licensed if it was in accordanoe with the regulations, no matter what the character of tho koeper might bo. A deputation from Auckland city had recently waited upon the Preinicr to get him to havo tho law amended. -...,...,,.', ... Mr. G. H. Douglass seconded tho motion. The Rev. H. L.'Blamires said ho was in ontiro accord with the sentiment expressed in the motion, but ho thought the wording was hardly definite enough; ■' ■ Tho motion was amended, and carried in tho following form:— ; "That this conference views with alarm tho rapidly increasing number of public billiard saloons throughout, tlio Dominion, and knowing the amount of gambling'connected with them, and their injurious effect upon our young men, would respectfully urge upon tho Primo Minister to havo the present law amended so that local bodies will have full control of such saloons." On tho motion of the Rev. W. A. Sinclair, it was resolved to appoint a deputation to wait upon the Primo Minister in regard to the matter. EVANGELIST'S VISIT. The Rev. C. H. Laws reported that whilo in England recently he had endeavoured to | see Gypsy Smith to induce him to pay an evangelical visit to New Zealand. Ho was not eblo to seo the evangelist, but ho had left a letter for the Rev. Thomas Law, and had sinco received a reply stating that Gypsy Smith might bo coming to Australia in 1910, in which case an attempt would bo made to include Now Zealand in the tour. THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION. The report of tho Coiumitteo on Temperance and Public Morals recommended, in regard to the No-Licenso question:— "That tho conference, believing that tho closing of the liquor bars makes for sobriety and tho moral and material prosperity of the country, rejoices in tho , continued growth of tho No-Liecnse movement, as indicated by the substantial increase in the vote at tho recent local option poll, and records its heartfelt thanks, therefore, to Almighty God. "It congratulates tiso tstatfamfaa w. which No-Liconso had previously obtained upon the fact that not ono of them voted for restoration, the electorates in which No-License now comes into force upon the magnificence of their vote, and also those electorates which havo carried reduction. "It deeply sympathises with those electorates which, though polling substantial majorities against tho traffic, havo yet fallen short of tho numbor required to secure tho boucfits of NoLicense. "It records its opinion that 60 per cent, of tho valid votes cast is too high a proportion; it reiterates its conviction that the Jaw which demands it, besides being undemocratic in principle, imposes r.n unfair disadvantage upon tho temperance caus3, and hopes that in the near futuro the law may bo so amended that No-Liconso may bo secured, at least, by a majority of less proportion than it at ■ present required. "In view of tho splendid vote cast' throughout the Dominion for tho abolition of the licensed liquor bar, tho conference is' greatly encouraged, and pledges itself to continued and increased effort on behalf of temperance reform until it shall rejoice in tho complete overthrow of tho drink traffic throughout the country." Consideration of tho report was deferred until tho timo when tho deputation from tho New Zealand Alliaiico shall wait upon tho conference. SABBATH SECULARISATION. Another recommendation of the same committeo was in regard to tho desecration of tho Sabbath as follows:— "That the conference views with concern tho continued and widespread secularisation of tho Sabbath, which it believes to be an outcomo of tho roligi- . oils indifference and tho devotion to pleasure'which arc characteristic of the times, and urges upon the ministers of our Church the necessity of preaching more frequently upon this .vital question." IMMIGRATING METHODISTS. Regarding the Emigration and Passengers' League, tho same committeo recommended— "That in so far as tho Emigration and Passengers' Leaguo concerns itself with tho introduction of Methodist .emigrants from tho Old Land to Methodist surroundings in New Zealand, approval bo extended to it, and the secretary be directed to communicate with Mr. King

informing him of tho names of Methodist ministers in our chief ports, and also with tho Rev. 0. LI. Kelly, convoying to liini the names of tho superintendents and ministers in tho various sonports and • .Durham Street, C'hristchureh, asking him to furnish, in connection with tho bureau which ho represents, the names, of Methodists coming to this country, and to do his utmost to urgo upon Methodists on hoard the vessels to gather together co-relijionists for fellowship and worship. "That tho president ho requested to insert n notice in our Homo Methodist papers asking intending emigrants to forward to him information as to tho vessel 1)}- which tlioy will sail and tho probable date of their arrival in New Zealand, the notice to bo signed by tho president and secretary of tho conference. "That tho secretary be requested to open correspondence with Sir It. W. Porks, M.l'., with a view , to the extension of his brotherhood scheme to this Dominion." THE TOTALISATOR. Tho Rev. T. N. Griffin moved.— "That conference emphatically protests against tho continued legalisation of tho totalisator and the nefarious calling of tho bookmaker, believing that these in an alarming manner are fostering tho spirit of gambling in tho Dominion." This was carried, with an addition that a copy be sent to tlio Prime Minister. CHARLES WESLEY BICENTENARY. Tho Rev. C. Griffin moved tho following synod recommendation, which was carried unanimously:— "That oonforenco directs the circuits to suitably commemorate the bicentenary of Charles Wesley on Whit Sunday, and the president issuo a circular to this offect to tho March quarterly meetings." MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS. A number of recommendations regarding military and naval affairs wero submitted by the Rev. T. N. Griffin, convener of the committee on those subjects. Tho recommendations were dealt with singly. The first wns: — "That tho New Zealand M , 'iodisfc Conference-, having learned of the proposed retirement of tho Rev. R. W. Allen from the oflico and position ho has held for so many .years in tho Wesleyan Methodist Chinch in connection with "tho army and navy, desires to place on record its high appreciation and the splendid service rendered by Mr. Allen and of the invariable courtesy displayed by him in his communication with tho army and navy officials and tho Now Zealand Church, and the interest ho has shown in tho welfare of this department of our work in tho Dominion. This was carried, and tho conference also agreed to the recommendation— "That continuod efforts bo made by tho committee to secure oarly Sunday morning services on board R.M. ships when visiting tho ports of tho Dominion." A further recommendation mado on behalf of the committee- was— "That tho Military and Naval Affairs Committee- bo requested to suggest to tho Defence minister tho appointment of moro Methodist ministers as ohaplains of volunteer forces, and that a request bo preferred that a fair proportion of military parades bo held at Methodist Churches," There was, however, considerable opposition shown to the recommendation, and it was withdrawn by Mr. Griffin in favour of tho following, moved as an amendment by tho Rev. A. Mitchell, and carried by tho conferenco :■ — "That our ministers and church offi- . cials be urged to tako an interest in securing appointments as chaplains to tho various military forces throughout tho Dominion; especially in view or tho fact that in many places tho officials in command aro members of our Church, together with a large number of tho rank and file. In places where there aro vacancies in tho chaplaincy, and where no appointment is practicable, wo urgo ■ that efforts bo mado to induce tho officers and men to attend church parado at tho Methodist Church in their turn with other churahos. , ' Other committee recommendations adopted were :— "That the Rev. J. A. Luxford bo authorised to .co-respond with tho Rev. R. W. Allen on Admiralty affairs, and with the New Zealand Government on military affairs during tho year." "That tho thanks of the conferenco bo presented to tho Rev. J. A. Luxford and the retiring committee." "That tho committee consist of tho Revs. H. 11. Dewsbury (convener), and G. Bond, Messrs. S. J. Ambury, and T. W. Jones." "That tho names of the superintendent minister:- irt tho ports of the Dom- { inion visited by H.M. ships of war bo annually reported to tho Rev, R. W. Allen by the convoncr, in order that tho naval authorities may bo notified of tho chaplaincies in theso places." "That the following be appointed as | chaplains to Methodists on H.M. ships of war visiting the stated ports •.—Auckland, Rev. H. R. Dewsbury; Wellington, Rev. S. J. Serpell; Lyttelton, Rev. A. Peters; Port Chalmers, Rev. J. Ward; Duncdin, Rov. P. W. Fairclough." CHURCH RECORDS. . A brief report on the question of early church records was made by Mr. T. Allen, who recently had tho opportunity of inspecting the early records lying in the London Mission Office. Tho report was adopted and ordered to bo ombodied in tho records of the conference. CIRCUIT TffEESYKQS. A general reeommondation of the Auckland Synod was moved by Mr. A. Peak, as follows :— " The synod directs the attention of conference to the. prevailing custom of holding in our circuits at an early date after the conference appointments tako effect, private unofficial meetings of members of the quarterly meeting, for tho purpose of considering tho invitation of ministers to the circuit for the subsequent year. Tho synod is convinced that tho practice is open to much criticism, and is generally mimical to tho best interests of our Church work, and suggests that conference consider tho effect tho practice- is having on our Church work, with a view to a pronouncement thereon." This was rejected. Mr. T. Allen then moved:— "That in tho opinion of this conference unofficial circuit meetings aro beneficial both to the circuits and to tho ministers." A littlo discussion took place and then tho question was shelved by tho .adoption of the "previous question." HOME AND FOBEICN MISSIONS. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. In tho evening a very successful missionary gathering was held. Tho interest taken by tho conforenco in mission work as shown in tho establishing of tho Wellington Central Mission, and tho appointment of an organising secretary for tho homo mission work, attached additional importanco to the function. Preceding the gathering proper was a very successful mission tea. The tables; wero in charge of tho following ladiesi:—Mosdamia Fear Fathers, Moss, Loinas, Jenness, Williams, Serpoll, Denton, Kirk, Garhck, Corkill Haves, and Spenna, Sister Isabol, and Misses Fear, Fathers, Lomas, Jenness, Cnlvort, Williams, Hicks, Pα mcr, Clem, Stokes Denton, Stairmand, Billman, Waterhouse' Kinneburg, Freeman, Osborne, and Hurlestou. . , After tho tea meeting a short organ recital was given by Mr P. Billman. The church, in which the addresses were dolivored, I was almost filled. Addressee wore- given by Mr Francis, of tho Foreign Mission, Sister Nellie, and Mr. Yung-hang Hwang. In his opening address the president (the Rev 'J'iios. l'"«o) spoke of what little had been done, and what a great deal there

was to do. The great dark Continent of Africa had scarcely been lunched, and Asia ! and tho near-lying lands were merely affected on the fringes. They had work at their own doors, too, among thoir brethren the Maoris, it was a great field open to tho Methodist Church if it would avail itself of tho opportunity. Not only among the Maoris, but among tho white peoplo in the hack country there was a great deal to bo done. Right in thoir cities, too, there was work. They wero going to start a mission in Wellington, ono had been started in Auckland, tho llov. W. Slado was in charge of a great work in Duncdin, and the Cluistchurch peoplo would not bo left behind. Tho lirst speaker was Mr. W. C. Francis, who h?.s laboured iu New Guinea. Tho speaker dwelt upon the cannibalism and cruelty which had existed before Christianity came. Superstition reigned supreme, so supreme, in fact, that no death in Now Guinea was over ascribed to natural causes. Every death was attributed to tho dark agoucy of somo evil sorcerer. That state, however, was now greatly changed. The Chineso Consul-Genoral for New Zealand, Mr. Yung-liang Hwang, followed. Ho said that the effect of Christianity was to make the, world much better than at present, thorpfore missionary work was not a matter for ono nation or ono peoplo —it was tlio concern of all nations, whether thoy bo white, yellow, or black. He went on to refer to tho opium traffic, and to tho progress China had mado, saying that material without spiritual progress was "vanity of vanities." (Applause.) China would over remain n peaceful nation (applause), but without spiritual force she would get many of tho curses, together with tho best things of the Western world. (Applause.) Sister Nellie, whose work lies on the west coast of the North Island, round about Parihaka, also spoke. Sho referred to the success which had attended their work among tho women and children. Much of their time, sho said, was taken up in tho undoing of the work of other people, who did a groat deal of harm in evading tho Government regulations in regard to the sale of liquor to women, etc. Owiiiß to the lateness of tho evening, the Rpv. W. Slado did not deliver his address. Tho gathering concluded with' n hearty vote of thanks, accorded on tho motion of the Rov. S. J. SerpcH, to all who had assisted in tho preparations.