METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1919, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christehureh, Last night. The Methodist C'onferen«e of New ZeMf land opened to-night. The president' (Rev. H. E. Bellhouse) in his inaugural address made feeling reference to the losses suffered by the Church through death during the year, and went on to say that it was an unspeakable privilege to assemble in what was virtually a peace conference. - There was a project on foot for the amalgamation of Christian forces in the Dominion within the next few years. That project contemplated an organised union between the Presbyterian, Consregatimial and Methodist churches. "I have no right to commit members of the conference, but T think I shall carrj you with mo when I sav that wo recognise an a church the eminent desirability of federating the Christian forces of this Dominion, and are prepared to sympathetically consider any proposals submitted to us with that end in view. We have no desire to forget our identity as a church. We believe that Methodism still was a, mission in this land, but in the interests of the Kingdom of God we a r e prepared to merge our identity in that, of a larger united communion if we can do so without sacrifice of selfrespect. end if thereby we. are persuaded we can forward the effectiveness of Jesus Christ's Church on earth, but any proposals for union must have resrard tn our traditions, our genius, and distinctive policy. We can entertain no proposals that, do not treat us honorably and on equal terms, and are not. based upon the principle of mutual concession." Aftrr referring to the liquor question and the celebration of the centenary of Methodism in New Zealand, he said the chief peril which now confronts us is that of industrial upheaval. The world of industry is everywhere in a ferment. Ominous i\vi'f">s are abroad. The shackling influence of war condition's is now removed, and labo t - everywhere' is demanding its rights, and labor must have its rights. Men everywhere must be given the opportunity of living decnt, self-respecting lives. They must he enabled to live lives free from financial shadow; lives not for ever haunted hv foreboding and fear. Capital everywhere must recognise this, and must be nrpjmred to give labor its just, rights, its fair rights, its equitable rights, tiut while labor has no rights, it must no. forget it has its resuonsibiliies Lftboi has no right to precipitate a. social convulsion in order to train its end, jnst as 'capital has no right to give ocrasiion for labor precipitating a social convulsion. The strike is a weapon of barbarism, and should fee scrapped in these civilised davs Christehureh. Last Night. The Mayor of Christehureh extended a hearty welcome to delegates to the conference, on behalf of the city. The new president, Rev. H. T', Bellhouse, was inducted and delivered an address. Mr. .T. IT. Blackwell, of Kaiapoi, Waa elected vice-president for 101!*. Rev. E. Drake (Wellington) was elected presi- . dent for 1020.