MISSION WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 14

MISSION WORK

PROGRESS IN MELANESIA

transport difficulties

Various phases of the work of the Melanesian Mission were dealt with by the Bishop of Melanesia, the Rt. Rev. W. H. Baddeley, in an address delivered at St. Mark's Hall last evening. Bishop Baddeley has been on a visit to England, and is now returning to his diocese. He was last in New Zealand ir 1934, and since then he has visited many parts of his scattered diocese.

The Rev. N. F. E. Robertshawe, vicar of St. Mark's, presided.

Bishop Baddeley said the work of the mission was being gradually extended, but transport presented many difficulties. While the mission ship Southern Cross was employed throughout the year between the various islands, it was necessary also to make use of aeroplane services to reach parts of New Guinea. Referring to the development of New Guinea, he said that three years ago there were about 120 miners prospecting there, but the community, which was about 36 miles from the coast, had now increased to 800. In their explorations the miners were now pushing further and further into the forest. In toe heart of the territory new tribes had been discovered, numbering, it was estimated, about 200,000 people. Although they were in the mandated territory of Australia, they we're included in the Diocese of Melanesia. So far as missionary work was concerned, the Church of England had a special responsibility in connection with these people. New Zealand, he added, had provided one of the pioneer clergy who was waiting to work in that territory. A training college for a native ministry for Melanesia had been established, and that | institution should prove of great value to the diocese. . The value of medical work in connection with the mission was emphasised by Bishop Baddeley. He mentioned the fact that on one of the islands there were 400 lepers. Reference was made by the speaker to the work which had been done in times past by the Church in England and in New Zealand for the Melanesian Mission, and there was, of course, he added, abundant work still ;o be accomplished.