CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1053, 16 February 1911, Page 9

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

THE COMING LICENSING POLL. (Bj> TclecraDh-l'rcm Association.! Dunedin, February 15. At the Congregational Union Conference le-duy \ne Jjev. R. JrXaughton moved ;- "That in view of the fortbcoimnj trien« niol poll, and of increased facilities provided by recent legislation for dealing effectively with the licensed liquor traffic, Iho council iirge ministers and churches of tho order to tamest effort in tho hope that, as speedily as possible the r alwliti?iv of a traffic which is one of the'greatest obstacles in tho way of social and relU. gious progress may be brought about, and the council suggest lp tho churches the desirability of affording every opportunity for ministers to render .special servico to tho cause of temperanoo during the latt-ST half of the year.' Tho Rev. B. L. Thomas seconded the motion, which wns carried unanimously. . i It was resolved to strongly urge upon the churches the absolute necessity • for tho men of the churches taking a larger interest in denominational affairs, and that thcro be ssnt to the annual moetings of the council a larger proportion of innlo ]-c|ir«sentativ«s. • Tlin London Missionary Society's ropiirt stated that the amounts contributed during tho year were;— Auckland, .£202; Wellington, £281; Canterbury, ,£IOB 10s. 5d.; Otigo, .£3lB 9s. IOd.; total, J!913 03. 3d. The report .urged the appointment of i.a Nfl\y Zealand Committee for tho examination of candidates. Tho Tsport was adopted, nnd the Rev. Mr. Hunt- was; appointed the union's representative : on the society. )' The Rev. AV. Snnnders moved thnt council take into serious consideration the.

3uestion of limiting the number of paid elegates to Vach'council,* or that council meetings be held every second year. Mr. Saunders pointed out that the expenses of the council were out of nil proportion to rovenue. Ho believed it possible that XSO a year might, bo saved. A report was read which stated that tho expense of council meetings amounted to about onn-saventh of tho revenue. It-van moved that only-half-faro bo paid to delegates. The discussion was- adjourned till to-morrow. : ... The Rev., D. Herd (Palm«rstnn North) read a paper on the opium traffic. -After tracing the history of-the traffic, he moved that the Imperial Government bo urged without delay to formally release China from treaty obligations'-to admitopium; / thnt the Indian Government s connection with opium export bo terminated. Tho was: carried nnanii m'ousl.V..'' '■ "'" *■'"■ : ■,-,;":.::.'":' ''•"In the.held. • ' ' -v " :; " : jV::>;'•* ■'.»•'".■.;.- v,\' • .-::;;.