METHODIST CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1676, 17 February 1913, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH.

THE CONFERENCE. TEMPERANCE AND PUBLIC MORALS. HOME MISSION: FIRST DRAFT OF STATIONS. The Methodist Conference continued its deliberations on Saturday morning, tho Rev. J. A. Luxford presiding. The committee, which drew up a reporf on "Temperance and Public Morals," suliinitted it to the conference for consideration. The report was presented by tho Rev. J. Southern. Tho couferonco reaffirmed the resolution of last year deploring Sabbath desecration, • It was also resolved: "Tliat the conference expresses its pleasure at tho action of the military authorities in endeavouring'to prevent,: Sabbath desecration by' discontinuing unnecessary drill parades, and breaking camps oniSundays, and cherishes 'the hope that week-end camps will bo abolished, and that the sanctity of the Sabbath will be carefully preserved." TONE OF THE PRESS, Ths conferenco further resolved, on tho recommendation of tho committee: "Now Zealand may be justly, proud of its 6ccular press, which, by its high tone, becomes a strong buttress to good citizen® ship. We, however, look with anxiety at tho'' reports of domestic and morbid tragedies that are gathered from every Eart of the world, and which servo no ealtliy, wholesomo purpose. Tho double crime of murder and suicide is certainly becoming more frequent; wo believe this to be largely due to tho suggestions with which/tho morbid are daily fed. We would respectfully suggest to our public press the wisdom of eliminating all information calculated to affect injuriously the mind' and morals of 'tho people." . V NO-LICENSE. The following Auckland Synod recommendation respecting No-License . wa? unanimously adopted :—"Tho Synod strongly protests against the unfair handicap of a three-fifths majority imposed on the No-License voters of this/Dominion, and hopes tho Methodist Church of New Zealand will assist the New Zealand Alli- . ance in it? strenuous endeavours to havo this handicap removed or materially reduced." - HOME MISSION. ' The first draft of Home Mission stations was snbmitted by the Eev. T. G. Brooke, ohairman of /the Home Mission Committee, as follow:— Auckland <i District! —Auckland West, one wanted; Auckland East, one wanted; Avondale, W. Gatinan; 1 North' Shore, E. E. Sage; Otahuhu, H. Benny; Franklin, A. Layboumej North Wairoa, A. E. Hoynes; Whangarei, G. C. Laws'; Port Albert, C. Shnnd; Coromahdel, F. W. Treby; Helensvillo,/A. J. Leach; Bay of Islands, C. H. Pain; Hokianga, J. W., Parker; Whangaroa, E. H. Taylor; IJangonui.'A.' N. Costam. •' - l S South Auckland District.—Canlbridge, L. Green; Hamilton, W. A. Porter; Taumarunu'i, one wanted; ToAwamutu, J, A. Lattiond; Waimana,' W. B. Cuming; To •Puke, one wanted; Miitamata,' C.t W. Broun; Ohura, J. H.. Oombes.j. Tnranaki: Wanganiii District:—Cape Egmont, W. Featherstono; East Egmont, P. J. Mairs; Wanganui, F. J; Kellow; North Taranaki, one wanted,; Patea, G. Bridgman; Mokau,' one' wanted. ' Hawke's Bay—Manawatu district.— Napier, one.wanted; Gisborrio, one want-' ed; Sanson-Rongotea,'one, wanted; Kimbolton, J. Oliver; Norsewood, H. Spencer. Wellington* District!—Taranaki Street, J. H. White; MastertOn; G. B. Sheridan. . jSelson'Distrjctrrßichmond, C. H. Ken.dall;,- Blenheim,' A. ';M'Lachlan; Denniston, R. : . W. Todd; Havoloclf, . C. 4ker; Awatere, ono wanted: Mnrchison, J. Com-1 mon; Eiinanga, M.>;Ayr'ton, North Canterbury, iDistrict.—Christchurch East, S. Cross;. Addington, ■ ono wanted; Greendalo and Malvern, S. Keen; Oxford, one wanted.;', ;•■ > 'South Canterbury'District.—Waimato,, one. wanted'; Methven, A. : H. : Coiioh': Mayfield, ;E.' Nicholls. ' v .

Ota'go District'.—St;"Kilda.vone wanted; Waikouaiti-Palmbrston, iW." J. Hooper; Lawrcnce, C. Duncan; Cromwell, J. Weir; Queenstown, one wanted. Southland District.—Otautau, W. E. Sleep; Riverton, W. Watson; Wanton, C. A. Foxton; Tautapere, J. Dennis; Invercargill (Don Street), one wanted: . . The committee reported that there were in all 60 stations,. 16 of which had not been '.filled, ' '

: CONFERENCE ADDRESS. ,Tlie conference address, which was drawn up by tho Eev. A. C. Lawry, was discussed at some length, and finally it was decided to havo the address revised. . ATTENDING Tf> IMMIGRANTS. On the motion 'cf the Eev. H. ■L. Blamires, tho'Eevs. G. H. Mann, W. S. Potter, C. J. G. Chapman, and E. 0. Blamires wero appointed a oom'mitteo to recommend names , of suitable ministers to attend to of immigrants.

' CONGRATULATIONS. .. The conference resolved that a suitable letter, signed by the president and sec-; rctary ,of the conference, be forwarded to the Primate of the Anglican" Church of the Province of New Zealand, congratulating that Church on the attainment of its centenary, and wishing it prosperity, in the extension of Christ's Kingdom in this Dominion. ; OTHER BUSINESS. The, committee in charge of the Connexional paper was requested to take into consideration during the present year tho possibility of arranging for a permanont paid editor to devoto his whole timo to the intere6ts of the paper. . The following committee was set up to take into consideration the question of how best tho timo of -tho conference can be curtailed to a reasonable length for _tho efficient carrying on of the conference work. . The sccond draft of the new-stations for ministers was submitted to the conference on Saturday afternoon, for consideration and amendments. . The conference will continue its work this morning. \