THE METHODIST GENERAL CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 13 June 1907, Page 4

THE METHODIST GENERAL CONFERENCE.

Our readers are again indebted to the Rev. '['. G. lirookc for a further,report of the iloiiupt at the Svduev Conference, as follows: -

1);'. l-'itehett informed the great public meeting, which as-cmhled in the Centenary Hall, to watch the opening of the Conference, that the representatives assembled were a body of men that, for intelligence, legislative ability, and administrative capacity would compare faforably with any ecclesiastical court of any section of the Christian Church. This was a tall claim, as the Daily Telegraph ventured to assert, but did iiot attempt to contradict it. Looking over the list of names it was easy to see there was some ground for the Doctor's assertion. There was, for instance, the brilliant speaker himself. Without claiming for him any pro-eminence amongst his compeers in the literary world, there is scarcely another literary man of equal charm and power, who is as eminent in the pulpit. on the platform, and in the study as be is. Sitting amongst the rank and file of the representatives was a no less notable figure than Sir Frederick Holder, Speaker of the Federal House, while quite a number of houorables and members of the Houses of Representatives graced the assembly. Lawyers, too, and journalists and medical men were there in even larger numbers. The heads of several large business houses were there, and if the story could be written, that is preserved in the history of them, a new volume would be issued showing that romantic success has characterised the grit and go of some members of the General Conference. The man who succeeds Dr. Fitehett in the chair is a Victorian, who has served the Church well, and lias worthily won the honor now put upon him. He passed the chair of his annual Conference some years ago, and for six years has been the Secretary of the General Conference. With him there sits on the platform Dr. Youngman, of Queensland, who received first a quite substantial vote for the presidency, and then an almost unanimous vote for the secretariat. As in the induction to office in the Annual Conferences, the new president is not expected to make a speech. Just a brief acknowi ledgcment of the honor done him, and nothing more. It is when he retires from office that he is expected to address the. Church somewhat full.

After the opening of the Conference it took % day and a half to settle details of procedure, and to dispose of preliminary business. It was not until the Monday (June 3) that the first great question to be considered was brought on, namely, the question of the policy that was to govern the management of

THE SUPERNUMERARY FUND. For six years this has been a burning question in the Church, and probably no other question has ever caused so much discussion in colonial Methodism. The pamphlets and cross-statements that have been published would make a very bulky volume, and that is independent of the almost unnumbered columns of press correspondence. In the discussion of this question the most powerful brains of the Church have been employed, and men of equal intelligence and business acumen have been driven to exactly opposite conclusions. It has, therefore, been a case of doctors differing. The opinions and advice of great financial experts was sought, but their views did not materially niter those held by the members of the Conference. Probably no body of men could be found anywhere who contend more vigorously for their opinions than the members of a Methodist Conference. In this ease, as shown liv the resolutions of the last Annual Conferences, there was an equal division of opinion, and the subject therefore contained all the elements of a lengthened and warm debate. Some idea of the importance of the matter at issue may be gathered from the fact tlnit the fund has a capital of close on £350.000, and that last year upwards of £17,000 was added to capital account. The point at issue was, should the whole fund continue to be administered on an actuarial basis as at present, or should there be a division of the fund into two branches—an annuitant nnd an auxiliary department? The proposal concerning the latter method was that a portion of the capital calculated on a 3'/ 2 per cent, basis should form the annuitant into which the ministers' subscriptions should be paid, and that the annuitant fund should be responsible for forty per cent, of the present scale of payments. The balance of the capital was to form an auxiliary fund. The circuit payments to the fund, plus the interest from the auxiliary fund, or such part of it as might be necessary, were to lie used as the provision of the Church for the present support of the supernumeraries and their widows.

To the surprise of nearly everybody there was practically no discussion at all. A special committee that had been appointed to consider the matter and report, finding the Church was so equally divided resolved to recommended the Conference to adopt a compromise. This they did by a practically unanimous vote. The convenor of the committee, the Rev. J. E. CarrutherF, moved the 1 adoption of the recommendation, and Dr. Xforlcy seconded it. The significance of this proposition was at once seen, for these two gentlemen were the leaders of the different sides at issue. Notwithstanding the honorable compromise which had been arrived at, one or two endeavored to create discussion, but the Conference would have none of it, and resolved that the "question be now put." The proposition was fhen carried with but one or two dissentients. The compromise which has been effected is to remain in force for six years. A considerable sense of relief passed over the Conference when this knotty question was thus satisfactorily disposed of. Supernumeraries and their widows throughout the whole of Australasia will Ibe much relieved by what has been done. To some of them it will mean the refunding of 20 per cent, that was de-

ducted from their allowances under the panic legislation of six years ago. It means also that furniture grants are restored to their original amounts, namely, £oo, and £3O, and that all payments are to be maintained at Scale C. The fund was found to be in a thoroughly satisfactory condition, and to be earning 4 1 / 2 per cent, interest.