METHODIST CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1932, Page 13

METHODIST CHURCH

.* DISTRICT SYNOD

MEETING AT MASTERTON

(By Teleoraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") MASTERTON, This Day.

The annual Wellington District Synod ot the Methodist Church was opened in Masterton yesterday morning, the Rev. T. R. Richards presiding. There is a large attendance of representatives from the various congregations in the district. An application from the Rev. C. C. Harrison, who has been in the ministry for 40 years, to be made a supernumerary at the next conference was approved. . The Thorndon Circuit,. Wellington, applied for a probationer for the Ward Memorial Church. This was granted, and a suitable grant was approved. The secretary, the Rev. H. J. OdelL reportedi on the state o£ the funds of the district circuits. . Only one had a credit balance. ..He also reported that ..through^ out the district there had been an increase in membership in every branch of church activity. Mr. Odell was recommended for reappointment as statistical secretary. T' c establishment of the Methodist Social Service Association of New Zealand was approved,. but the details were referred back to the committee for, further consideration.

It was resolved "that this synod, while recognising the good work done by the censor, in connection with the release of moving pictures, desires to draw his attention and that of the Minister of Internal Affairs to the imperative necessity of deal--ing_ severely with many types of posters which are being exhibited and which give quite- an incorrect idea of the picture that is being released." It was also resolved that "we reiterate our faith in the efficacy of the prohibition of the liquor traffic, but that we object to any suggestion o£ separating the taking of the licensing poll from the date fixed for the General Election. "■

The synod deprecated the purchasing of art union tickets as encouraging an evil II s m ™ich was agai nst the principles of the Methodist Church. Synod recommended the reaffirmation by conterence of allegiance with otherl ™?j;ches to the Bibile-in-Sehools League. While appreciation is shown of the work °i + j £ elson system," the resolution stated, it is viewed as inadequate while Bible teaching cannot be given in schools daily and the need in country schools is not being met." The league is to be urged to develop its organisation, educate, and agitate until the present blot on the national education system is removed."