METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1919, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

' LABOR'S CLAIMS, "JUST FAIR AND EQUITABLE RIGHTS." By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, March 6 The report of the Connexional Sunday School and Young People's Board was presented by the Rev. C. Heaton, who referred especially to the proposal to appoint an organising secretary for Sunday school and young people's work. It was estimated that each department could be carried on at a cost of approximately £4BO majority: Mr Webb Jones moved: That this conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand affirms its full sympathy with labor in its efforts to secure its juat, fair, and equitable rights, including improved conditions, increased wages, and shorter hours, and pledges itself to assist labor to that end, and recommends that at least onie a quarter addresses should be specially devoted to industrial problems. Mr Webb Jones suggested that the Church should uphold the principle of a forty-two hour week to start with. If Christchurch wanted to be with Labor, and if they wanted Labor to be with the Church would have to help Labor. It was high time that something practical was done by the Church to assist in bettering the conditions of the working man.

Mr Hamilton: moved an amendment that this conference is in full sympathy with Labor in its efforts to secure its just, fair, and equitable rights. The debate was adjourned till the evening. The debate on Labor and the Church Was continued to-night. Mr David Jones said the conference was being turned to one big conciliation council to take up disputes and deal with them. Was that the function of the Church? He considered the motion 'went far enough towards establishing the fact that the Church wanted to secure just and equitable rights for workers. Mr C. E. Daniel, who supported the motion, asked the conference to realise that the aggressive Labor leader was often the only friend of the quiet worker. He advised members of the conference to get out and rub shoulders with Labor men. He could tell many things about the courtesy and manliness of men who worked on the wharf. He would like to see the word "labor" dropped and ;,! ditizten" substituted in its place. Rev. H. L. Blamires favored the spirit jof the resolution. The conference should assure the workers of its practical sympathy. j The Hon. C. M. Luke said he thought I the saving grace of the age would be the nationalisation of many commodities. He was of the opinion that the Church should express its sympathy with the claims of the masses.

The Eev. Knowles Smith said the only man who should be alarmed by the motion was the man who ought to be alarmed, and he had no right at tho conference. Labor was crying out for the children to have better opportunities than their parents had had, and the Church should stand by Labor in this respect. Mr C. E. Bellringer said the greater portion of the industries of the Dominion were in the hands of the men who controlled them from the other side of the world. Was it any wonder Labor was dissatisfied? The Church should express its sympathy with the workers and welcome them into its midst with love.

Mr Hamilton's amendment was lost, and Mr Webb Jones' motion carried, the reference to quarterly addresses being struck out. On the motion of tfee Hon. Luke, seconded by Mr T. P. Hughson, the following supplementary resolution was carried: "That this conference recommends to employers and employees the principles of co-partnership and profitsharing in all forms of industry." HOME MISSION APPOINTMENTS. Christchurch, Last Night. The following is the first reading of tjie Home Mission appointments for the Taranaki and Wanganui district:—Waitara (Uruti), one wanted; Stratford {Midhirst), one -wanted; Cape Egmont (Opunake), C. Strand; Cape Egmont (Okato), E. D. M. King; East Egmont (Douglas), G. H. Cule; Patea, W. WatSon; Mokau, one wanted; Pariroa {Native), one wanted; Toanui (Native), Wi Kaitare; Kaponga, assistant to Mr. Blair, 0. S. Pearn.