METHODIST CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 142, 5 March 1918, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE

By Telegraph—Press Association Dunetlill, March 4. The Methodist Conference this morning resolved that the Ministers' Children's Fund levy be increased, raising assistance from circuits from 12 to 16 per cent.. Tho report and balance-sheet of the board of the Wesley, Training College, Auckland, wore adopted. A loss had been made during the past year on tho farming operations, but the money had mostly gone into improvements. Tho capital value of the board's properties amounted to £81,597. The conference expressed complete confidonce in tho board.

Tho statement of income and expenditure showed income £0544; expenditure, £6421; credit balance, January 31, £1099. Many circuits having failed to reach tho existing minimum of. £200, tho conference decided to give .aid from the Home and Church Extension lfuiid to enable them to do so. Tho estimates for 1918 wero presented. The estimated home mission and church extension expenditure was £6847. Increased grants amounted to £100fi. and £1000 from last year's credit balance was placed to the reserve, making tho total expenditure' £8858.. The income, apart from the credit' balance, was £7224, and with the credit balance of £8323, leaving a debit balance of £531. It'.was decided to add 25 per cent, to the district levies.

The.constitution of tho Homo Mission Committee was amended to nrovide an adu.uon of two home missionaiios to tno membership. This afternoon tho Methodist Conference considered schemes for tho alteration of tho constitution and organisation. Tho llev. S. La wry moved that, in view of the cost of holding the conference as at present constituted, and the difficulty felt in some cities in providing adequate hospitality, it is desirable .that tho constitution be altered so as to provide for a substantial reduction In the number of ministers and lay representatives entitled to attend the conference. Tho Rev. Rosevear seconded tho motion. They had tho conference at Auckland two years ago. ho said, and it cost £691. The Rev. Wills moved as an amendment tfint the question be referred to the September quarterly meetings for report. The amondmunt was earned by 126 votes t0.63. A further amendment by the Rev. Ready, Chat no further' action bo taken, was ruled out of order. On the'amendment being put as tho substantial' motion it was defeated by a large majority, with the result that the whole proposal was dropped.