METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9390, 9 March 1909, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Per Press Association Wellington, March 8. To-day the Methodist Conference discussed the following motion, moved by the Rev. Mr Blamires “That the Conference expresses its sympathy with the employable unemployed in the Dominion, and urges Government to take steps to discourage undue importations of such classes of immigrants as will ha calculated to throw out of employment those who are already at work.” Objection was taken by some speakers to keeping New Zealand closed to outsiders, and eventually the motion was amended, expressing sympathy with the unemployed, and asking Government to find employment for all who require it. The amendment was carried.

A series of resolutions were passed in regard to the No-iicense question. The Conference rejoiced in the continued growth of the movement as indicated by the substantial increase in the vote at the recent poll, and congratulated the electorates in which no-license had previously been obtained upon the fact that not one of them voted for restoration, and recorded its opinion that sixty per cent, of the valid votes cast la too high a proportion, and expressed the hope that in the near future the law may be so amended that nolicense may be secured at least by a majority of less proportion than is at present required. It was reported that the foreign mission income for the past year was £2912, being an increase of £743 on tha ; amount for the previous year. The Revs J, N. Burton and N. R. Poole, both of Fiji, are to bo foreign missions deputations in the Dominion this year. It was decided that the Rev. J. ,0. Wheen, one of the general secretaries, be the deputation for 1910.