METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 32, 6 February 1913, Page 6

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

THE OPENING SESSION. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, February 5. The Methodist Conference opened this evening, the Rev. W. Ready (Auckland) presiding. With him on the platform were Dr. H. Youngman, president of the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia, and Dr. W. Morley, another General Conference representative'. The retiring president congratulated the church on the approaching union of two kindred bodies in New Zealand, and the generosity of the*Australian body in setting the New' Zealand section free, with legislative as well as administrative power. The Rev. S. Lawroy was elected president of the conference, and the Rev. C. H. Laws secretary. Mr J. A. Flesher, convener of the Legal Committee, submitted a formal report upon the steps taken to secure a constitution for the New Zealand Conference as an independent conference. He moved a resolution expressing gratitude at the methods of the church of New Zealand, at the successful termination of the long-continued efforts to secure inde-pendent-legislative powers and the hope that under the new constitution the church would attain increased public influence and spiritual power. The Rev. W: J. Williams seconded this, and the motion was carried. Dr. Youngman and Dr. Morley addressed the conference, conveying the goodwill of the Methodist Church ol Australasia, and the conference adjourned till to-morrow.