MISSIONARY WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 142, 19 June 1933, Page 8

MISSIONARY WORK.

PART IN WORLD AFFAIRS.

INFLUENCE IN SAMOA,

"Business men to-day might well learn something of Christ's statesmanship, which was to manage the world by love, not by force." This was the theme elaborated to-day by the Rev. J. Alfred Kaye, of London, chairman of the South Sea Islands Committee of the London Missionary Society, in an address delivered to Auckland Rotarians.

Mr. Kaye said his society had over ."Oil missionaries abroad and over 1000 ordained native ministers, with nurse.; and doctors at 50 different hospitals in various parts of the world, including China, India, Madagascar, South Africa, the Gilbert and Ellis Islands and Samoa. Tho old gibe, "let the heathens look after themselves, they're happy as they are," was cheap and easy, but it disregarded essential facts. Missionary work to-day was recognised as having an important place in international statesmanship.

"Hardly a week passes," continued the speaker, "without the Colonial Office in London calling up the office of the International Missionary Council for consultation about some problem that has arisen in some far outlying area." It was recognised that men who had given them lives to unselfish work on behalf of natives were in a special position to give an impartial verdict upon such problems.

Dealing in particular with conditions in Samoa, Mr. Kayo paid a high tribute to the life of the late John Williams, who had given his career and subsequently his lifo to the service of these people. No name was now more venerated among the natives, and his influence was reflected in the fact that today 85 per cent were adherents of the congregational churches in Samoa. Mr. Kaye gave details of the society's methods with the natives, emphasising tho point that there was no endeavour to revolutionise the special conditions that were natural to these people in their tropic life. A more delightful, kindly and generous people than the Sanioans it would he impossible to find. It made him almost anxious to ho a New Zealandcr so that ho might have the opportunity to develop the best side of this lovable and intelligent race. All t that ho could ask for at-the moment was ' that wo New Zealanders should take tho Samoan kindly by the hand, should not attempt to thrust sharp innovations upon him and should utilise his nature to develop his legitimate national aspirations. Tho vote of thanks was moved by Rotarinn the Eev. Mr. Thomson, who recalled incidents connected with the formation of the Loudon Missionary iSocietv by a small band of enthusiasts in 1706.