"DARK" AFRICA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1937, Page 5

"DARK" AFRICA.

BELGIAN CONGO.

PROGRESS IN 25 YEARS.

EXPERIENCE OF MISSIONARY.

The Congo to-day, although it includes much of what 20 years ago was the "darkest" interior of Africa and of what is still, by Xew Zealand standards, in .parts comparatively undeveloped, is a country with cities, railways, hotels, shops, theatres and schools, said 'Mr. E. J. Salisbury, a. missionary from die Luanza Mission. Belgian Congo, in an interview this morning. Mr. Salis-

bury, who is at present on furlough, said that in the Congo the Belgians had long since abandoned their original policy of ruthless exploitation of the natives, and for many years their rule had l>een benevolent.

| The capital of Katanga, the province in which Mr. Salisbury works, is Eliza[bethville. a large inland railway centre. I Unlike other countries, there were few [restrictions on the conduct of business, [said Mr. Salisbury. Shops opened and ishut when and as they pleased, and (there was no such thing as the early jclosing of liquor-selling establishments. jThe administration followed most progressive lines, and there existed toAlay 3000 miles of railway, while full advantage was talA»n of the 2000 miles of navigable waterways. There was now also an excellent internal air service, connecting with Imperial Airways.

Mr. Salisbury, who has travelled 16.000 miles diirinar his term—fiOOft of them by bicycle—began his work in the Congo seven years «so. later, with Mrs. Salisbury. taking over the supervision of the Dan Crawford Memorial Hospital at Luanza. A leper colony has now been added, and there were at present over 30 inmates, said Mr. Salisbury. Missionary work was assisted by the (Government in respect of medioai work carried out by the Protestant organisation and of both education and medical work carried out by the Roman Catholic Church.

In Mr. Salisbury's "parish." which is! about the size of the North Island, there are now some 60 native schools, and also a hospital, in which there are six native boys as orderlies and two native nurses. The native children are quick to learn and acquire a grasp of French and English. speaking well and in most oases writing beautifully. Mr. Salisbury is to give a public address in Auckland to-morrow evening.