INDIA MISSIONARIES

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1936, Page 7

INDIA MISSIONARIES

ARMY OFFICER’S TRIBUTE. (Per Press Association;. WELLINGTON, February 10. “The man who laughs at Christian missions in India, does not know what he is talking about, because he has insufficient knowledge of the magnificent work that is being done,” said Major R. R. B. Falcon, who after serving for nearly 22 years in the Indian Army, arrived at Wellington to-day, in the Wanganella, with the object of settling in New Zealand. “I have had my eyes opened lately to the good work and influence of missions in India,” said Major Falcon. “I have been sceptical about missions, but I have been absolutely won over by the fine type of missionary throughout India, and the influence for good they are exerting among all religions and castes. Christianity is definitely progressing in India, though progress is slow. The missionary on the North West Frontier is a very brave man. He goes about unarmed, and the wild tribesmen of that territory admire him greatly. The kind of missionary who was needed in India, he added, was the manly type with a “stomach” because life was hard and often perilous. Natives in those parts were fanatical in the religious faiths, and had no use for a man who was weak. Long acquaintance with wild hill tribes of the frontier made it clear that these tribes could not be cured of a passion for fight. They admitted that they had no complaint against the military or the British nation. Many had served with the Indian Army, and they admired and respected the late King George. Notwithstanding their savage instincts and primitive environment, the Pathans took readily- to motor ears. As Mohammedans, they were not superstitious, and did not mistrust modern inventions. Most chiefs of the hill country owned wireless sets, with which their people listened in to the Government radio station at Peshawar, where a Pathan announcer broadcast educational talks in their own language, Pushtu.