METHODIST PROBATIONERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1916, Page 8

METHODIST PROBATIONERS.

RIGHTS OF MEN AT THE FRONT, y By Telegraph.—Press Association. ' Auckland, Feb. 28. Some interesting, points were raised at the New Zealand Methodist ponference this morning, when delegates were discussing matters connected with chaplains and ministers who had enlisted. Ttii' Rev. Mr. Sinclair moved that the Rev; Mr. Urigg, who" is a chaplain to the forces, be reappointed to Leeston, with a home missionary as supply. This was agreed to without discussion. It was also agreed that an allowance of .€75 per annum be allowed to the wife of the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, the same as was done ill the case of Mrs. uuxford last year. The next point was with regard to two probationers—Messrs. I'. P. Lawrence and W. Watson—who had completed their fourth year. The Rev. \V. Ready suggested that Mr. Lawrence be ordained, but some objection was raised as the candidate would not be present to give certain.pledges. The Rev, George Bond argued that they should not penalise these men because of their bravery and devotion to King and country. He hoped the conference would have the justice to ordain them, as they would have been entitled to have done had these men hot gone to the front. . The Rev. S. Lawry said that if the men had been present then they would have been asked for pledges as usual before being admitted to full connection. It was not a question of these two gentlemen, but the establishment of what might prove to be a dangerous precedent. The Rev. C. H. Laws warned the conference against the danger of being swept away by a wave of patriotic feeling. He suggested that the conference might give authority for the men to be ordained if they returned during the year and gave the usual pledges. This was agreed to, the president being empowered to act accordingly.