MISSION TO LEPERS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 75, 21 December 1929, Page 15

MISSION TO LEPERS

NEW ZEALAND’S SHARE IN WORK.

A successful garden party in connection with the Mission to Lepers was held in the grounds of Mrs. Dowsett’s residence, Wanganui East, recently. A large number of people gathered to show their sympathy and interest in the work which is being done iu New Zealand towards tlr erelief of the lepers iu other lands.

The Rev. F. A. Crawshaw, Dominion secretary, was present, and said that there were at present nearly three million lepers in the world. About 10,500 were being definitely cared for, irrespective of sect or creed, tn homes in India and Burma, China, Japan, and Korea, and many others. Two-thirds had become Christians. Grants for the provision of medical supplies in connection with the new treatment had been made to a number of missionaries in Africa and elsewhere. New work had also been commenced or was being aided by the American Mission to Lepers at Assuit, in Egypt, Bibanga, in Congo Beige, Elat, in Camcroons, Inhambane, iu Portuguese East Africa, Meshed, iu Persia, and Kiulungkiang, in Yunnan, in addition to those institutions for which the Ahierican Mission was directly responsible. 'The aim of the Mission to Lepers was to have homes in as many places ns possible, as the lepers living in isolated parts often had to walk for days to reach one of the institutions.

After quoting figures to show the extent and effectiveness of the work, the speaker said the Mission to Lepers was an international and interdenominational organisation. It carried on its work in co-operation with thirty-seven British, American, and European Protestant missionary societies. The missionaries of these societies were the honorary superintendents of its homes for lepers and their children. They also bad charge of the Christian teaching and services provided by the mission- in government, municipal, and other leper asylums and settlements. New Zealand had contributed £5OO more this year than last, making a total of £1553, which meant that approximately another 100 lepers could be taken into our homes during the coming year. About £l3 will he added to the funds as a result of the garden party. The local secretary is Mrs. E. Dowsett, 12 Helmore Street, Wanganui East, who will be ready at any time to give information, or to receive subscriptions for the work of relief among the lepers.