OFFICIAL OPENING

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 44, 15 November 1940, Page 4

OFFICIAL OPENING

Mission Union's Conference And At Home The official opening of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union look place in Palmerston North ou Wednesday morning after a communion service held with the assembly. The president of the union. Mrs. Gladstone Hughes, was introduced to the meeting, and Mrs. Mouatt, president of the Wanganui Presbyterian Association, welcomed delegates and expressed the hope that there would be a . happy fellowship throughout the conference. Study circles were arranged under tho leadership of Mr. B. Nottage, New Hebrides. 'The roll-call was taken byMiss E. Campbell, honorary secretary of the union. In lhe afternoon an executive "at home" was held for delegates and hostesses. Mrs. Jupp, wife of the moderator. was welcomed by the president. Past presidents and missionaries were also welcomed, missionaries present being .Mrs. MeNeur, Miss Reid, Miss A. Cook (China), Miss V. Sutherland (India I ami -Mrs. Nottage I New Hebrides). Members of the general executive were welcomed and a tribute was paid to the work of organizing secretaries.

In response to the uon-retrenebnieut appeal to missionary societies, the splendid sum of £18,6.13 was raised, thereby enabling the work to go on. .Mrs. Gladstone Hughes addressed the meeting. She based her remarks on the task of the Church in these days. “A new order has arisen which would curtail the liberty of our Church,” she said. “Our programme is made clear by Jesus Christ, for the hope of the world lies in the proclamation of His message. He who would meet the challenge must have greater fellowship with Christ. We must push ahead with our missionary enterprise and go forward to win a kingdom for Jesus Christ. The task is not ours alone.”

Representatives from sister missionary societies conveyed greetings to conference. Mrs. Inglis, international corresponding secretary, read greetings from missionary* unions of New .South Wales and Queensland. Afternoon tea was served by the local P.W.M.U. Y'esterday the conference opened with a prayer meeting and study circles. Tho business meet ing began at 10.30 a.m. The following recommendations were put to the conference:— “That the Gray gift, of £2O/0/1 go to refugees in Kong Chuen Hospital Compound."—Proposed by Mrs. Reed, seconded by Mrs. R. G. Hutchison, and carried.

“That, the Robert Strang legacy interest of £5/5/- go to the Maori Mission Press.” —"Proposed by Miss E. Wilson, seconded by Mrs. Burnett. “That the collection from the annual meeting go to educational work among Lhe Christian girls at Jagadhri (India).” —Proposed by Mrs. Ross, seconded by Mrs. Stoot. Nominations of representatives on assembly committee were, Mrs. G. Cruikshank (president for 1941), Miss E, Campbell, (lion, secretary for union), Miss E. Wilson (vice-presi-dent), Mrs. Burnett (Hawke’s Bay). The report of the M..M.8.L. was presented. Branch secretaries were asked to send in as full reports as possible. Children should be encouraged to join the M.M.B.L. to increase missionaryeducation, it was stated. The report was adopted by the conference. Concerning the report of the subcommittee on home missions, Miss Henderson (Christchurch) spoke on the need for P.W.M.U. members to take up tho duty in the effort to bring in the hundreds of people outside the church. A good deal of discussion took place and a vote on the adoption of the report of the home missions committee resulted in 54 delegates for the motion and 52 against. The president thanked the committee for the report, “'That, the interest from the missionary manses fund bo paid to the executive treasurer yearly." The interest, said Miss E. Campbell (hou. secretary) was needed for upkeep and repair of the manses, and she therefore moved that this recommendation to conference be adopted, seconded by Mrs. Mouatt I Wanganui).

Another recommendation was "That whereas the practice of locating the P.W.M.U. executive at Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, and Dunedin in turn, debarred many capable women from taking office, delegates consider the advisability of locating the next executive at some centre other than the four named." This was generally agreed to and Miss Henderson (Christchurch) suggested that Southland I’.A. lie Hie next place of location for the P.W.M.U’. executive. Tills was carried. iii the afternoon the coiitereiice was addressed by the Rev. .1. G. Laughton (director of Maori Missions), and Miss it. Thomas, Okaihan mission.