MISSION WORK IN MELANESIA

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21810, 16 June 1936, Page 7

MISSION WORK IN MELANESIA

PROBLEM OF TRANSPORT BY SEA VISIT OP BISHOP BADDELEV Transport problems, the training of native clergy, and the evangelising of New Guinea were particular aspects of mission work in the diocese of Melanesia dealt with in an interesting address given last evening by the Bishoo of Melanesia, the Rt. Rev. W. H. Baddeley, in the Jellicoe Hal . Bishop Baddeley and Mrs Baddeley arc visiting New Zealand hcfore re turning to the islands from England^ New Zealand people, from previ addresses and from their close con nexion over many years with tne work of the mission, knew a deal about the general nature of m work done in the islands. Bish P' . , delev said, and so his address would centre on three aspects of j he , w °™:’ Transport, of clergy and of store , played a big part.in the conduct of the missions, the Bishop said. T who asked when the diocese of Melanesia might begin to stand on i ts , feet should remember that it coverea some 2000 miles, most of which was sea. So long as the unity of the diocese was to be maintained, there n be reliable transport. Bishop Baddeley spoke of the great value of tne work of the new Southern Cross mission steamer, and said that its runn e> costs had proved exceedingly economical, very much lower than those of the old Southern Cross. He spoke of the other and smaller vessels also usea in the mission work, and said that tne wages of boys from the island were now only 10s a month, in addition .o their keep, and although the natives themselves had proved that they could make sacrifices of great magnitude lor special efforts, it was not fair to expect them to maintain the steamers. Further transport facilities would bo needed in New Guinea, he said where the most efficient transport was by air. It was also unfair that the native people should be expected to pay the stipends of white missionaries, he said. The number of native missionaries at work now outnumbered the whites by more than two to one, he added. .. Value of Native Clergy

He spoke at length of the training of the native clergy, and said that they had proved admirable for their work, and that by their loyalty, faithfulness, and good example, they had done much to advance the cause of Christianity in villages and settlements that had been heathen. Bishop Baddeley discussed the work that was being done in the evangelising of the primitive peoples in the mandated territory of New Guinea. This land had been given to Australia, he said, and it could not be allowed that the Government should improve the social and economic conditions of the natives without the Church bring, ing the people the consolations and happiness that came from religion. Bishop West-Watson, who welcomed the speaker, thanked him for his address, and spoke of the pleasure it gave the parishioners of Christchurch to welcome Mrs Baddeley on her first visit to New Zealand. The Mayor, Mr J. W. Beanland, also spoke, congratulating Bishop Baddeley on his address, which he said had been both interesting and instructive. A collection for the missions was taken at the meeting.