PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 188, 15 January 1912, Page 5

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH

BASIS OF UNION DISCUSSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The Primitive Methodist Church Conference was resumed on Saturday, the Rev. T. Knowles-Smith presiding. The basis of union with the Methodist Church was further considered seriatim, the only disvision being upon the following N.B. clause referring to the quarterly meeting of each circuit, "the superintendent minister shall be the chairman of this and all other official meetings in the circuit, but in his unavoidable absence each meeting shall elect its own chairman. Should the superintendent or the elected chairman refuse to put any motion which, in the judgment of the majority of the meeting, is in accordance with the construction and rules of the church, the meeting by resolution may be adjourned so that the ruling of the president of the conference may foe obtained thereon, provided that any other business may be proceeded with in ordinary course." Mr. D. Goldie moved, and Mr. P. J. Hawikjns seconded, as an amendment, i nat 110 member of any official meeting snail be chairman unless elected thereto." A devision resulted in the amendment hemg defeated by 59 votes to 21 and the motion was then declared carried on the voices, and the whole of the basis of union was agreed to seriatim. "TW . Bellringer then moved, lhat the basis of union recommended ny the joint committee, and considered the conference be adopted." rhe motion, on being put to the meeting was declared carried on the voices. A division was asked for, and the point was raised that according to an Act of +i„ m r? J - a si P n of an >' church, to the Methodist Union previously made must be by a two-thirds majority of the members of that church. The division resulted in 65 voting for the motion and 16 agninst, with three delegates absent. Upon the motion of Mr. Bel]ringer seconded by the Re*. J. Southern, the' matter was referred to the Methodist Union committee to recommend the manner in which the basis should be presented to quarterly meetings. , {" the afternoon a garden partv was held m Barley Park. •' The conference resumes to-morrow.