METHODIST CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2405, 10 March 1915, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH

CONFERENCE CLOSES

IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS (Br Tdegrauk.—Press Association.) Chrlstchuroh, March 9. The annual conference of the Now Zealand Methodist Church was concluded to-day. It was decided to hold the self-denial week during the first week in July, the proceeds to be devoted to wiping out the deficiency in vhe Foreign Mission Fund caused by tie ivar and the hurricanes of last year. The conference decided to accept the offer of the Rev. Val Trigge to visit the Dominion in 1916 for evangelistic missions, and that all arrangements be made by the "Welfare of the Church Committee.

It was resolved to add to the secretarial staff a Press agent, >vbo would be responsible for supplying the Press Association with reports and other information.

The report of the Committee on Temperance and Public Morals was brought down before a minority of tho members of the conference. Resolutions were passed deploring the increase of gambling, Sabbath desecration, and the growing practice of people taking week-end trips. The Temperance Committee also had prepared a recommendation on the Bible-in-schools question. When tho resolution came upi for discussion the argument was raised against it that' there was not a large enough attendance of members of the conference to pass a sufficiently weighty resolution on such an im]>ortant question. "The previous question" was moved, and was carried by 28' votes to 22. The Rev. C. H. Laws brought up the subject later in the debate oh the report, and the following resolution was passed by a fairly large majority: "That this conference regrets that the important question of Bible in schools was introduced at so late an hour, and in so thin_ a coriference that a vote on the question would have carried no weight. In carrying "tho previous question" the conference desires it to be known that such a vote is not to be regarded as a reversal of its own policy on this question." Offences Against Clrls. The conferenco reaffirmed the resolution passed at last year's conferenco; "That this conference views with deep concern the large number of serious-of-fences against girls and young women in the Dominion, and urges the Government to have the law so altered as to provide—(a) that the ago of consent be raised to 18 years, (b) that criminal proceedings in respect of such offences may be instituted within twelve months of their -occurrence, (o) that the defence of "apparent age" shall be no longer available to tho accused person." It was agreed to hold a special Foreign Mission demonstration at next conference, in order to prepare to occupy a special independent field of work in foreign missions. Public Morality. The following resolutions were passed on. the motion of the Rev. W. J. Williams: —"Tnat in the interests of public morality this conferenco strongly protests against permits boing granted for any form of gambling in connection with the efforts made for the patriotic or relief funds."

"That the attention of conference having .been called to grave liquor scandals in the King Couutry, it ('alls upon the Government to take the most effective steps possiblo to enforce the- prohibitory laws, as it has been shown that leading representative chiefs of the King Country are most emphatic in their demand that the sale of liquor shall be prohibited in accordance with the original proclamation, and the Government will bo guilty of . a serious dereliction of duty if the demand is not attended to." Copies of the resolutions are to be sent to the Prime Minister. . Ne Temere Decree. The committee on matters renneoted with tho Ne Temere Decree _ reported that during the year the committee had conferred with simihr committees appointed by other Protestant bodies for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming a Protestant Association or Alliance representative of all churches through which united action might be taken, if necessary, to safeguard Protestant liberties and for the promulgation of Protestant principles. It was agreed that such an association was desirable, and the following was suggested as a tentative platform:— Education.—lnstruction of yotng people in Protestant principles by delivering of lectures, addresses, 0t0.,i and distribution of suitable literature.

Electoral. —To promote the ciind'dature of Protestants who would pledge themselves' to- support Protestant, measures which might be brought before them for legislative adjustment for all educational,. civic, and national elections and appointments. State Aid.—To oppose the granting of State aid and 1 the holding of State scholarships in denominational schools and colleges. The Presbyterian General Assembly had already at its sessions in November last considered tie above proposals, approved the formation of the association, and appointed its representatives.. The committee recommended conference to approve the formation of the i'rotestant Association on lines indicated slid to the appointment of four representatives. The report was adopted l without discussion.