FOLLOWING TURKEY'S LEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13846, 4 September 1908, Page 5

FOLLOWING TURKEY'S LEAD.

| CONSTITUTION FOR CHINA. PARLIAMENT TO FOLLOW. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Received September 3, 11.50 p.m.) ' London, September 3. . Reuter's Pekin correspondent says that an edict has been issued outlining a Constitution, and providing . for the ultimate summoning of a ' Parliament. Sir Robert Hart, speaking in London last i month, remarked that China's transition might be prolonged, but her transformation was certain. China was destined to attain front rank among the.nations. He hoped, he added, that Britain's sympathy and moral support towards China would continue Some interesting facte, concerning the change of public opinion in China towards Western ideas have been collected by the missionary societies on the completion of the first century of Protestant missionary work in China. There is stated to be a totally changed attitude on the part of tho official and influential classes towards Western things and ideas; a complete change in the educational system, a reversal of previous ideas on the question of female education, accompanied by a determination to open schools for girls, and a recognition of Western medicine and surgery, such as has never before existed. In 1876 there were only 289 missionary schools, with 4909 pupils, in China; but last year's returns showed that there were 2585 schools, with 57,683' scholars, i of whom 42,546 were boys and 15,137 wore girjs.