THE AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1268, 22 November 1884, Page 3

THE AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Christchurch, Nov. 19. The Wesleyan Conference resumed at 9.30 a.m.

A Committee was appointed, on the motion of the Rev. W. L. Blamires, to consider any disputed claims on the Children's Fund.

The Rev. G. Brown moved—"Thatthe following be accepted aa a corrected resolution of the Conference : 'A communication having been received from His Majesty King George, of Tonga, bringing under the notice of this General Conference the position of the Tongan church, the Conference resolves— (l) That a deputation, consisting of the Revs. John Waterford, Frederick Langhnm and William T. Rabone, visit the Friendlj Islands and interview the King and the European and Native rr-issipnaries, with a view to a recommendation of such measures as would in the judgment of the deputation put an end to the divisions which have interfered with the work of our church in the Friendly Islands district. (2) that the deputation report to the New. South Wales and Queensland Conference of 1886, (8) In the event of

any member of the deputation being unable to go to Tonga, the President of the General Conference shall appoint some other minister to supply the vacancy. (4) Thwt the views of the respeclive quarterly meetings, and of the next district meeting in the Friendly Islands be ascertained as to the request, of His Majesty, King George, that the Friendly Islands district be separated from the New South Wales and Queensland Conference, and attached to the New Zealand Conference."

This was duly adopted, after some discussion, and on the motion of Mr Hobbs, it was agreed that a copy of the report should be forwarded to all the Conferences for consideration.

On the motion of Dr Kelynack, it was agreed that the resolutions should be forwarded to the New South Wales Conference, with power to give effect 1o the recommendations, on the consi-i.i of the New Zealand Conference being obtained.

The following resolution, moved as an amendment to a motion by the Rev. R. Hunter and seconded by the Rev. R. Bavin, was agreed to—" That the question of the establishment of a mission to the Northern Territory of Australia be re mitted to the careful considention of the Board of Missions, to whom the report of the South Australian Conference should be favorably recommended." The Conference instructed the Missionary Committee to send a deputation to assist in the celebration of the Fijian Jubilee, such deputation to consist of the Revs. Dr Kelynack, Wnteiford, and Reid, Messrs B. James, S. G. King, and Buddie. Mr R. Hobbs moved that the following be the Board cf Missions till the next General Conference:—"The President and Secretary of the New South Wales and Queensland Conference, Revs. J. Watkin, L. Wilkinson, G. Hurst, J. B. Waterhouse, F. H. Fletcher, J. Oram, W. Moore, W. Clarke, G. WooJlnough M.A., G. Martin, W. J. Davis, J. A. Nolan, J. Clifton, F. Firth, R. Caldwell, J. Brown, J. Gardiner, G, Lane, R. Sellora, the General Secretary of Missions, with Messrs W. Davies. G. W. Barker, T. P. Reeve, P. P. Fletcher, W. Henson, P. Miller, G. Read, S. W. Dowsett, J. Hardy, G. Crawshaw, B. James, jun., W. H. McClelland, E. Hogben, E. Dawson, W. Bailey, W. Robson, jun., J. T. Kendall, T. Cummins, S. E. Lees and James Perry."—Carried unanimously. The Rev. Morley moved—" That for the purpose of increasing the ordinary income of the Missionary Society, it ia desirable that arrangements be made for a more regular system of deputations, and th&t when returned missionaries are not available for deputation works, the Board of Missions be directed to arrange with the several annual Conferences from time to time for the services of one or more of their definite members to undertake such work for a definite term."—Carried. Resolved—" That the next General Conference be held at Melbourne." In the afternoon the Conference was occupied for a considerable time in discussing financial arrangements in connection with the Supernumerary Fund, The Rev. J. Cope « as authorised to do any necessary actuarial work, upon such terms as may be agreed upon between him and the Board of Treasurers,

A motion proposed by Rev. J. B. Waterhouse that General Confe'ences be held at longer intervals, with fewer delegates, and that the expenses be charged in proportion to the number of representatives actually sent, was lost. Mr D. Nock moved— " That in the opinion of this Conference, it is detrimental to the best interests of the people tnat the Bible should be excluded from State schools, and would therefore urge upon the Legislatures of the Australasian colonies the desirability of so altering their education laws as to provide for Bible reading or religious instruction being given in all our State schools." MrG. M. Hitchcock seconded the motion, with the addition of the words, "by teachers during school hours, with conscience clause for teachers and parents who may object." The Rev. J. J. Lewis moved, as a preamble to the motion Conference, while decidedly opposed to denominational education, is yet of opinion that it is detrimental, &c." The Rev. B. Butchens suggested the addition to the motion of the words, "and for a separate grant for Roman Catholic and other denominations." Ultimately the following amendment, proposed by the Rev. Henry Bull, was agreed to—" That while deeply convinced of the importance of Bible reading in State schools, it is the opinion of this General Conference that the subject is one which should bo left to the separate action of each annual Conference."

A resolution was carried to the effect that supernumeraries whnare deriving an income of £350 or more per annum from any business, literary or other work, receive no allowance for the Supernumerary Fund beyond that to which their own paynents entitle them, The Wesleyan Conference on Tuesday occupied considerable time in verbal revisions of the boob of discipline.

Is was decided to write a letter of condolence to the relatives of the late Rev. William Barton, of Waikato.

On the motion Mr W. Rob'son, it was resolved—" That recognising the value t" the connection of lqcal preachers, this Conference resolves that it is desirable to aim at improving their status and increasing their efficiency, and in order to do this recommends eaqh annual Conference to adopt a literary and theological course of study which local preachers on trial shall be required to observe." A motion by the Rev. W. Dee, that the Conference thought provision should be made for a minister receiving an unanimous invitation from his quarterly meet-, ing to remain a fourth year in. his circuit under exceptional circumstances, was lost by 27 votes to 16. The remainder of the business was unimportant,