Medical Missioner’s Work In Solomon Islands

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 15

Medical Missioner’s Work In Solomon Islands

ADDRESS BY DR. ALAN RUTTER Addressing a meeting representative of the Methodist Women's Missionary Auxiliaries of Palmerston North, Woodville and Ashhurst, in St. Paul's Methodist Sunday school room yesterday, Dr. Alan Rutter, M. 8., C. 8., D.T.M.H. (London), F.R.C.S. (Edin.), gave a summary of the work in the Solomon Islands’ medical unit which he hopes to re-establish after its lapse of three years. Dr. Rutter and his wife leave for their new sphere of work at the end of this month and arc at present on a tour of New Zealand to solicit aid for the medical mission unit they are going to re-establish. The doctor, who is a New Zealander, has completed a seven months' course in tropical medicine and hygiene in the London School of Hygiene and this will be of great advantage to him in his research work. The speaker -was introduced by Mrs. T. R. Hodder, president of the Palmerston North branch of the Methodist Women's Missionary Auxiliary who said Dr. Rutter's name was not unfamiliar to mission workers, who had followed his career with the greatest interest. Those present wished to congratulate him upon his success and honours gained in his medical training. It was through the generosity of mission workers in Now Zealand and of native Christians that it had been possible to send out a doctor to the mission field in the Solomons, Mrs. Hodder said, and Dr. Rutter went out with the best wishes of all. Mrs. Hodder also congratulated Dr. Rutter on his marriage to Miss Betty Roe, of Napier, saying her training in a good Methodist home should make her a fitting helpmeet for him. Mrs. Hodder then welcomed the. visitors, among whom were Rev. A. Blakemore (Cuba Street Methodist Church), Rev. T. Coatsworth (Woodville Methodist Church) and Rev. M. A. McDowell (St. Paul's Methodist Church).

At the outset Dr. Rutter remarked that it was a.pleasure for them both to be present at such an interested gathering. The enthusiasm of the women's missionary auxiliaries had been a source of great inspiration to the medical missions, and during the dark period of 1933 —36 when the light of missionary enterprise burned very low, it was the work of the women's auxiliaries which had prevented it from being extinguished altogether. To them the medical unit owed a great debt which it could only hope to repay by justifying their expectations. It was with this object that he and his wife would go out to their new work, he said. While he was not entirely conversant with what lay before th*em, it was hoped to start a research laboratory in the hospital and in this field Mrs. Rutter would bo of great help. Contributions to this end had been made, but until it was known just what scope there was in this direction, no equipment would be purchased, the speaker continued. Dr. Rutter said they looked forward to their work with the greatest enthusiasm and it was a joy to them to go as the church's representatives. Sending the doctor back was not enough, the speaker continued, the idea was to maintain him, as failure to do so would destroy tho faith of tho natives in the Church. He and his wife were going out knowing the necessity

of finding their way, Dr. Rutter said, but it would not be until they arrived at the Solomon Islands that they would fully realise the exact nature of their task.

Continuing, the speaker said, his course in tropical diseases enabled him to anticipate a great deal of the medi cal work which included the treatment and prevention of epidemics of European diseases, against which the native had little or no resistance. T.B.—the great scourge of the islands —presented a wide field for investigation and a problem to be tackled early in their work, the doctor said. Leprosy—not a Pacific disease either, but one brought to the islands 80 years ago by Chinese labourers—was another important lie! 3 of work, and it would be his task to carry on the work of Dr. Sayers and Dr. James, who had both done great service fighting this disease. “The work does not entail only hospital treatment,” said Dr. Rutter, who went on to say that by a special treatment for yaws which he hoped to introduce, it would bring hope to many who suffered this terrible, mutilating disease. Hospital work was an opportunity to show, in a practical manner, the ideals laid down by Christ, he said, and one of his tasks would be to break down the fatalistic apathy of the native of disease, who regarded it as an inevitable mark of disfavour of the Lord.

Dr. Rutter also said he hoped to tram native girls and boys in medical work, and while research was very attractive to him, it would not cloud the main issue, that of carrying on God’s work among his people. Another point in mission medical work said the doctor, was that it must not be used as a bribe to the natives to become Church members, they would be taught that it was free to all castes and creeds. In conclusion, Dr. Rutter said he hoped in the not-too-distant future, to be back again, when he would be able to tell missionary auxiliary workers something of what had been accomplished. The speaker, who throughout his address, had the undivided attention of his listeners, was accorded a vote of thanks by acclamation, and Rev. Coatsworth in moving the motion, was seconded by Rev. Mr. Blakemore and Rev. Mr. McDowell, who wished Dr. and Mrs. Rutter God-speed on their mission. Mrs. Blakemore, on behalf of tho Missionary Auxiliary, also thanked the speaker and Mrs. Rutter, who expressed her appreciation of the co-oper-ation of the Women ’s Missionary Auxiliaries.

The meeting commenced with a hymn, followed by a scriptural reading by Rev.. M. A. McDowell. Afternoon tea was dispensed by members of the Broadway Women’s Missionary Auxiliary. At the conclusion of tho meeting a collection was taken to augment the Medical Mission Fund and the Benediction pronounced by Rev. Mr. Coatsworth, brought an interesting afternoon to a close.