MELANESIAN MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19808, 1 December 1927, Page 12

MELANESIAN MISSION.

COST AND RESPONSIBILITY. ADDITIONAL WORK FOR STAFF. BISHOP STEWARD'S VIEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Wednesday. Bishop J. M. Steward, in a letter to the Waikato Diocesan Magazine, writes: — " I am informed that in view of the present financial position of the Melansian Mission a motion has been passed at the last annual meeting of the Standing Committee of General Synod asking for all possible economy in the field. That the Melansian Mission is a very expensive one is, alas, a fact patent to all, but that the mission is run in an extravagant manner has yet to be proved. It must, be evident that we in Melanesia feel the pinch of our poverty more than anyone else and I wish to assure our friends in New Zealand that we are doing our utmost to keep within our financial bounds. " At the same time it must be remembered that in response to pressure from our supporters outside the actual mission staff we have recently accepted the responsibility of work in the mandated territory and the revival of medical work among our people. It is interesting in view of the action of the Standing Committee to quote the words of the Bishop of Rochester at the last annual meeting of the Melanesian Mission in London: ' But the development of new ground will mean that we shall require an annual increase of some £3OOO or £4OOO, even £SOOO, for working expenses, but I believe that - money will be forthcoming as soon as the men are found for the work." " Friends of the mission in New Zealand should know that any further economy in the field means nothing more or less than handing over part of the terri tory already occupied by our Church to the Roman Catholics or to a non-sacra-mental mission. " I am certain that any such action on our part would raise a storm of indignation among the Church people of New Zealand and I am equally certain that as soon as they realise the true state of affairs in Melanesia the Church people of New Zealand will see to it that the additional £2OOO a year needed to keep up the present work in the islands is forthcoming, even if they are content to leave the work of raising funds for the development of new ground to the Church people of England."