METHODIST CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3017, 2 March 1917, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE

YESTERDAY'S SITTING. The Methodist Conference resumed yesterday morning, the president (Kev. W. A. Sinclair) presiding. The report of tho Itov. J. H. Simmonds, principal of the Training College, was adopted. It was stated in tho report that the drafting away "of so many young men for military servicehad tended to reduce- the number of applicants for admission. It had also tended to lower tho average age of tho scholars.

The report of tho Kev. C. H. Garland (principal of the Theological College) was adopted. , A vote, of thanks was accorded to the Rev. C. H. Garjand and Mrs. Garland for their work in connection with tho college, and tbo former was reappoinbcd principal for a further term of six

years as from 1918. Mr. C 4. A. Buttle was reappointed treasurer, and a vote of thanks was accorded him for bis past services.

■Iho appropriation for the college asked for this year totalled only £450, owing to tlio uistiLution being closed at present. The North Island and South Island Orphanage reports woio adopted, hi Iho Nona Island there arc twentyseven children (sixteen girls and eleven boys). In the South Island there arc twenty-nine children in residenoo (lit - - teen girls and fourteen boys). A deputation from the New Hoalaud Alliance Executive waited on conl'orcnco and asked for tlio support of the delegates and members of the, church generally in tbo efforts of the alliance. U dea. with the. liquor traffic. Tbo conference promised its hearty support u> the movement.

Conference resolved that tlio Nativo Minister's attention bo drawn to the growing ovil of intempcrauco araongsli •tho young Maori peoplo (on tlio West toast, as well as on thai part of iho iiasfc Coast to which attention had recently been drawn), especially through the conveyance of liquor into Nativo settlements, and that ho bo earnestly urged to have the law so amended and regulations so enforced immediately as to abolish this shameful and deplorable state of things. It was also resolved that the Tcmporaneo and Public Morals Committee be requested to take such steps as shall lead to tlio passing of legislation making it illegal for young peoplo under -I years of ago to have intoxicating liquor in their possession. Tlio committee to tako immediate action.