CHURCH UNION.

Dominion, Issue 1337, 15 January 1912, Page 2

CHURCH UNION.

1, PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE. BASIS ADOPTED. Illy TcleeraDh.-l'ress Association.) Christchurch, January 14. Tho rrimitivo .Methodist Church Conference was resumed on Saturday. The Rev. Q. Knowles Smith presided. The basis, of union with the Methodist Church was further considered seriatim, tho only division loine; upon Iho following clause referring to thu quarterly meeting of each circuit:— "The superintendent minister shall be chairman of this and all other official meetings in tho circuit, but in his unavoidable absence each meeting shall elect its own chairman. Should a superintendent or elected chairman reinso to put any motion which, in tho judgment, of the majority of the meeting, is in accordauco with the constitution and rules of the Church, tho meeting, by resolution, may bo adjourned,- so that Iho ruling of the president of the conference may bo obtained thereon, provided that any other business may be proceeded with in ordinary course." Mr. D. Goldio moved, and Mr. 1\ ,T. Hawkins seconded, the following amendment :— "That no member of any official meeting shall bo chairman unless elected thereto." The division resulted in tho amendment being defeated by 59 votes to 21, and 'he motion was then declared carried on tho voices. Tho whole of ths basis waa agreed to seriatim. Mr. C. E. Bellringer then moved:— "That tho basis of union recommended by the Joint Committee, and considered by tho conference, be adopted." Tho motion on being put to the meeting was declared carried on tho voices. A division was asked for. The point was raised that, according to Act of Parliament, the admission of any Church to Methodist union previously made must be by n two-thirds majority of the members of that Church. The division resulted in 65 voting for the motion, and 1G against, with three delegates absent. Upon tho ihotion of Mr. Bellringer, seconded by the Kev. J. Southern, tho matter was referred to the Methodist Union Committee to recommend the manner in which the basis should bo presented to tho quarterly meetings. In- tho afternoon a garden party was held in Haglcy Park. The conference resumes to-morrow.