METHODIST CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 143, 12 March 1919, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH

CONCLUSION 03? CONFERENCE.

Dγ Telcurap'v-Prrsn Association. v Christchurch, March 11The Methodist Conference concluded to-day. The committee on the work of synods and of the conference recommended that one of the most effective ways_ of extending the powers of (he synods in order to relieve the work of the conference was to make a material reduction in the membership of conference with election by the synods. Conference should consist of an equal number of ministers and laymen, the number to be limited to 150 Europeans and two Maoris. Conference should appoint a committee to doci<le the number of itiinisters and laymen each.synod wa,s entitled to elect. Opposition was shown to the proposal to reduce the membership .of conference and the recommendations were .rejected.

The North Canterbury Synod recommended that conference should pass legislation providing for the appointment of district executive comniittees, each synod to be allowed to nominate the members of the committee for Hβ district, but the-- appointment to be made by conference; the duties of the committees to be to take action in regard to any public question that required attention and to exercise the functions now discharged by the District Foreign Mission Advisory Committee, tho District Loan Fund Advisory Committee, nnd any other committees conference might decide. The scheme was referred to the President's Committee to report to next conference.