THE NEW CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 12

THE NEW CHINA

OiO TRADITIONS DISAPPEARING A MISSIONARY SURVEY Conditions were changing in China as they were changing m all other countries of the world, and it would be difficult to forcast what the outcome of the changes would be, the Rev. G. H. M‘Neur, who has been connected with Chinese mission work for over thirty years, told a ‘ Star ’ reporter this morning. Mr M'Neur, who originally came from the Clutha district, is spending a year’s furlough, in New Zealand, and, with Mrs M‘Neur, arrived in Dunedin yesterday. Ancestor worship and old superstitions were fast disappearing, he stated, but it was doubtlul if tlio Chinese would advance towards Western ways as the Japanese had done (in a military sense), as they wore a quieter and less aggressive race. The Chinese were naturally a peaceful people and were slow to change, but those who had adopted the Christian faith were quite an influence n; the community. Missionary work in Oliina might be considered difficult, Mr M'Neur said, but actually it was not. The Chinese had a very high moral standard and the moral teachings of Christ appealed to them, especially to those who were well educated. Practically all cf the doctors and nurses who had been trained under Western methods had come under the Christian influence.

Mr M'Neur’s special work in China is teaching at the Union Theological College, at Canton, and consequently he knows that part of China very well. The climate was very humid during the summer, he said, and was not particularly healthy. About half ,of the missionaries who were sent out to China had to return home for health and other reasons. Conditions had been very peaceful round Canton during the last few years, Mr M‘Neur continued. There had been little local fighting, and brigandage and piracy had decreased. Life, property, and travelling were all much safer than in tho past, and the attitude of the Chinese towards Britain and British subjects was much better than it was some years ago. Canton’s connection with the Central Government of China was only nominal, Mr M‘Neur said, because it was really under tho control of the military government, which in .turn was under one man. In the adjoining province, Kwangsi, conditions had improved tremendously, and in some ways Kwangsi was the model province of China, mainly because of its new means of communication. A system of motor roads had been laid down so that troops could now keep order, and large tracts of land had 'been opened up. Afforestation and educational schemes wffich were a great credit to tho local Government had also been established. Conditions in China would eventually settle down, Mr M'Neur said, but they would take a long time to do so. The Chinese had departed from many of their old customs, especially in the larger centres, and one striking example was the altered position of women in the community. Women now had a voice iq public affairs, and practically all the churches had some women as office-bearers. Education was advancing rapidly, and the larger number of boys and girls learning to read and write must later have an effect on the Government of the country.

Communism was very strong in China, and the influence of the Soviet was considerable in certain districts. An earnest endeavour had been made by the authorities to stamp Communism out, but it was still very strong in Central China, and had the support of many well-educated young men and women.